Rwandan President Paul Kagame has announced his intention to run for a fourth term in the country’s upcoming presidential elections, which are scheduled to be held in August next year. This marks the first time Kagame has publicly stated his candidacy for a fourth term.
Kagame, who has been in power for decades, confirmed his decision in an interview with the French-language news magazine Jeune Afrique. He expressed his satisfaction with the confidence Rwandans have placed in him and stated his commitment to serving them for as long as he can.
Rwanda’s government previously synchronized the dates for parliamentary and presidential elections, setting them for August next year. Kagame’s eligibility for a third term was made possible through controversial constitutional amendments.
Paul Kagame, a former rebel leader, has effectively been the country’s leader since the end of the 1994 genocide. He won a third term in 2017 with nearly 99 percent of the votes. His decision to run for a fourth term will likely generate significant attention and discussion within Rwanda and internationally.