Thousands throng Rwanda stadium to see Kagame mount power for fourth term

Kigali – Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, has been sworn in for a fourth term after winning a landslide victory in last month’s election, securing over 99 percent of the vote.

The inauguration ceremony took place on Sunday at a packed 45,000-seat stadium in Kigali, with several dozen Heads of State and other dignitaries from African nations in attendance.

Kagame took the oath of office before Chief Justice Faustin Ntezilyayo, pledging to “preserve peace and national sovereignty, consolidate national unity.”

The outcome of the July 15 election was widely expected, as Kagame has ruled Rwanda since its 1994 genocide, initially as de facto leader and later as president.

The National Electoral Commission announced that he received 99.18 percent of the votes, securing another five-year term in power.

Rights activists have criticized Kagame’s overwhelming victory, viewing it as a stark reminder of the lack of democracy in Rwanda.

Only two candidates were allowed to run against him out of eight applicants, with several prominent critics of Kagame barred from participating.

Democratic Green Party leader, Frank Habineza, came in a distant second with 0.5 percent of the votes, while independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana received 0.32 percent.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.