Paul Kagame, the long-standing president of Rwanda, has been sworn in for a fourth term after winning 99% of the vote in last month’s election. The ceremony, held at the Amahoro National Stadium in the capital city of Kigali, was attended by several African heads of state and thousands of supporters.
While some praise Kagame for bringing peace and stability to Rwanda after the devastating 1994 genocide, others criticize him for running a repressive regime where dissent is not tolerated. Rights groups have raised concerns about the lack of democracy in the country, pointing to the limited number of candidates allowed to run against Kagame and his consistently high electoral margins.
In his oath of office, Kagame vowed to uphold peace, national sovereignty, and unity, and pledged to use his powers for the benefit of the country rather than personal gain. However, his critics accuse him of interfering in the affairs of neighboring countries, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo, where Rwandan troops have been accused of supporting rebel groups.
Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi was notably absent from the inauguration, and Kagame took the opportunity to criticize him for failing to address the issue of Rwandan rebels based in DR Congo. The tension between the two leaders highlights the complex political dynamics in the region and the challenges facing Kagame’s leadership in the coming years.
Despite the controversies surrounding his presidency, Kagame has been credited with transforming Rwanda into a relatively stable and prosperous nation, earning it the nickname of the “Singapore of Africa.” His ambitious development projects and efforts to attract international investment have put Rwanda on the map as a growing economic and cultural hub in the region.
As Kagame embarks on his fourth term in office, the world will be watching to see how he navigates the delicate balance between maintaining stability at home and addressing the concerns of his critics both domestically and internationally.
