Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame, a figure both feared and admired, is on track to extend his 24-year rule in an election that experts predict will be a landslide victory for him. Kagame has secured over 90% of the vote in every election since he assumed office in 2000, with his most recent win in 2017 boasting an impressive 99%.
Critics accuse Kagame of stifling opposition and targeting dissenters, even beyond the country’s borders. However, supporters credit him with overseeing Rwanda’s economic recovery and fostering unity after the devastating 1994 genocide.
Dr. Felix Ndahinda, an expert on the Great Lakes region, commended Kagame’s leadership for transforming Rwanda from a nation once considered unstable to one that has regained stability and progress. Despite facing limited opposition candidates in the current election, Kagame continues to defend Rwanda’s human rights record.
As Rwandans head to the polls, many first-time voters express excitement at participating in the democratic process. For the youth of Rwanda, Kagame has been the only leader they have ever known, dominating the country’s politics since the turn of the millennium.
Opposition candidate Frank Habineza, of the Democratic Green Party, aims to challenge Kagame’s rule and advocate for greater political freedoms. While some voters, like Celestin Mutuyeyezu, have shifted their support away from Kagame in favor of candidates like Habineza, defeating the incumbent president remains an uphill battle.
Despite ongoing challenges such as high youth unemployment rates, Rwanda stands as one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies. Kagame’s visionary leadership has been instrumental in driving Rwanda’s economic progress and creating a stable environment for growth.
Beyond domestic affairs, Kagame has cultivated relationships with international partners while also asserting Rwanda’s influence on the global stage. As tensions persist with neighboring countries like DR Congo and Burundi, Kagame remains focused on safeguarding Rwanda from external threats.
In the midst of an election that some view as a mere formality, the outcome remains uncertain. While Kagame’s opponents strive to challenge his dominance, his legacy as a transformative leader in Rwanda’s history continues to spark both admiration and debate.
