Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame re-elected after landslide victory

Daba Finance/Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame re-elected in a landslide

AFRICAN BUSINESS AND ECONOMYJuly 18, 2024 at 6:51 PM UTC

TLDR

Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame re-elected with 99.18% of the vote, extending his long-standing tenure in office.
Frank Habineza and Philippe Mpayimana concede defeat in the election, with voter turnout reaching 98.20%.
Rights groups express concerns over crackdown on journalists, opposition, and civil society groups during the election.

Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame has been re-elected with 99.18% of the vote, the National Electoral Commission said on Thursday, extending his near quarter-century in office.

The two men standing against him – Frank Habineza from the Democratic Green Party and independent Philippe Mpayimana – both conceded defeat in Monday’s election, which rights groups say was marred by a crack-down on journalists, the opposition and civil society groups.

Oda Gasinzigwa, chairperson of the National Electoral Commission, told a news conference that voter turnout was 98.20% of the nine million registered voters. The final election results are due to be announced no later than July 27.

Key Takeaways

Kagame, who got more than 93% of the vote in the last three elections, has won praise from Western and regional leaders for helping to end the 1994 genocide in Rwanda and rebuilding the country into an attractive destination for investment and aid. His reputation has been damaged, however, by accusations of abuses at home and supporting rebels in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo – allegations he has repeatedly denied.

Rwanda

Election

Paul Kagame

East Africa

Economy

DR Congo