President Paul Kagame of Rwanda has achieved a resounding electoral victory, further consolidating his two-decade-long grip on power. Partial results released by the National Election Commission on Monday revealed Kagame’s overwhelming lead, with 99.15% of the vote counted from 79% of ballots.
This result surpasses his previous landslide win in 2017, where he secured 98.79% of the vote, positioning him far ahead of his only two opponents. The Democratic Green Party’s Frank Habineza garnered a mere 0.53%, while independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana received 0.32%.
Kagame, who has effectively led Rwanda since the end of the 1994 genocide and formally as president since 2000, addressed the nation from his ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) headquarters, expressing gratitude for the trust placed in him. “The results that have been presented indicate a very high score, these are not just figures, even if it was 100 percent, these are not just numbers,” Kagame stated. “These figures show the trust, and that is what is most important. I am hopeful that together we can solve all problems.”
Full provisional results are expected by July 20, with final results to be announced on July 27. With 65% of the population under the age of 30, Kagame remains the only leader many Rwandans have ever known.
The 66-year-old leader is lauded for transforming a nation traumatized by genocide into a model of economic recovery, boasting an average GDP growth of 7.2% annually from 2012 to 2022. However, his tenure has been marred by accusations of authoritarianism, including suppression of media and political opposition, and allegations of instigating instability in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.
Over nine million Rwandans were registered to vote in this election, which coincided with legislative elections for the first time. Among them were two million first-time voters. Kagame’s widespread support is evident among the populace. “He gives us everything we ask him, such as health insurance. This is why he wins by a big margin,” commented Francois Rwabakina, a 34-year-old mechanic.
In previous elections, Kagame secured more than 93% of the vote in 2003, 2010, and 2017. Constitutional amendments during his presidency have allowed him to reset his term limits, enabling the possibility of his rule extending until 2034.
The opposition faced significant hurdles, with prominent figures such as Bernard Ntaganda and Victoire Ingabire disqualified due to previous convictions. Diane Rwigara, a notable critic of Kagame, was also barred from running due to purported issues with her paperwork.
