On September 19, Rwandan President Paul Kagame announced his intention to seek re-election in the country’s presidential election in August 2024, aiming for an unprecedented fourth term in office. In an interview with Jeune Afrique, Kagame expressed gratitude for the confidence placed in him by Rwandans and vowed to continue serving them as long as possible.
Kagame’s decision to pursue another term is not surprising, considering his track record of winning elections with overwhelming support. He secured 93 percent and 98.6 percent of the votes in the 2010 and 2017 presidential elections respectively, and in his first election in 2003, he gained the support of 95.05 percent of Rwandan voters.
While Kagame’s popularity and Rwanda’s socioeconomic progress since the 1994 genocide are commendable, it is important to acknowledge his autocratic tendencies and hindrance to democratic progress. Elections in Rwanda have been marred by government crackdowns on free speech, independent media, and political opposition throughout Kagame’s tenure. It is questionable whether Kagame would have maintained such high levels of support if he faced genuine competition in free and fair elections.
Under Kagame’s leadership, the Rwandan government has employed reprehensible tactics to eliminate challengers and opposition figures. Presidential hopefuls Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza and Diane Rwigara were prevented from running against Kagame in 2010 and 2017 respectively. There have also been reports of abductions and assassinations of dissidents and opposition leaders, both within Rwanda and abroad.
These actions highlight that Kagame is not a true democrat, and it is difficult to ascertain whether Rwandans authentically support his leadership. Rwanda, despite its democratic façade, is effectively ruled as Kagame’s personal domain. His regime is authoritarian and anti-democratic, serving as an inspiration for other despotic leaders in the region, as seen in Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya’s admiration for Kagame during his visit to Guinea.
Kagame has consistently dismissed criticisms of Rwanda’s lack of democracy, and he continues to argue against the notion that Africa faces a democracy problem. However, unelected military governments currently hold power in several African nations, challenging Kagame’s assertion. Furthermore, studies have shown that a majority of Africans support democracy and desire stronger democratic institutions in their countries.
Democracy is not a Western imposition but rather a homegrown response to the injustices inflicted on Africans during the colonial era. African democracies are rooted in locally agreed standards that prioritize citizen participation, equality, accountability, the rule of law, political tolerance, free and fair elections, and human rights. Unfortunately, many African leaders, including Kagame, have failed to fully embrace or implement these principles.
In order for Rwanda to truly become an African success story and serve as a model for other nations, Kagame must allow democracy to flourish. Rwandans and Africans at large deserve better. It is imperative that Kagame reconsider his decision to seek another term in office and pave the way for genuine democratic progress in Rwanda.