Kagame Begins 4th Term as Rwanda’s President Amid Controversy
Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame was sworn in for his fourth term as the country’s leader during a ceremony in Kigali on Sunday, following a landslide victory in last month’s elections. Kagame secured over 99% of the vote, solidifying his long-standing grip on power since the end of the 1994 genocide.
The 66-year-old, who initially rose to prominence as the commander of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) that halted the genocide, has led the nation for decades. First as the de facto leader, and since 2000 as president, Kagame has consistently won every election with more than 93% of the vote.
The inauguration was held at a 45,000-seat stadium in the capital, attracting numerous African leaders. Kagame is widely credited with transforming Rwanda after the genocide, which saw 800,000 people—primarily Tutsis—slaughtered by Hutu extremists.
Despite these achievements, Kagame’s rule is also marked by allegations of human rights abuses. Critics and rights groups accuse his government of suppressing dissent through intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and even killings. Additionally, Kagame has faced criticism for overseeing constitutional amendments that, while reducing presidential terms from seven to five years, could allow him to remain in power for another decade.
Kagame’s administration is also under scrutiny for its alleged role in destabilizing the eastern regions of neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.
[…] Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, clarified that neither the Senate nor the National Assembly has the authority to set their salaries. He described any suggestions to […]