Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame has been officially selected as the presidential candidate for Rwanda’s ruling party, the Rwandan Patriotic Front, ahead of the upcoming July 2024 elections. At 66 years old, Kagame continues to wield significant influence, maintaining a strong hold on the landlocked African nation for decades.
This marks President Kagame’s fourth bid for a seven-year term, having secured landslide victories in the 2003, 2010, and 2017 elections, each time garnering over 90 percent of the vote. The recent Rwandan Patriotic Front congress, which held early March, solidified Kagame’s candidacy with no opposition in sight. The absence of contenders during the party congress emphasizes the formidable position Kagame holds within both the ruling party and the nation as a whole. The lack of internal competition suggests a unified front within the Rwandan Patriotic Front, reflecting confidence in Kagame’s leadership.
Speaking after the nomination, Kagame beckoned on the ruling party to get ready for transition after his mandate.
“The burden of responsibility to lead our country can be equated to a shock absorber against the challenges we face daily. It requires the right mindset,” he said.
“I accept this burden of responsibility, but with a call to get someone to relieve me of this responsibility.”
Opposition Green Party leader, 47 years old Frank Habineza emerges as the sole known contender for the July polls.
In the 2017 elections, he managed to get just 0.45% of the ballot, and came third in polls with citizens criticizing the results.
While Kagame’s dominance in previous elections raises questions about the competitive landscape, Habineza’s candidacy brings an element of political diversity to the upcoming electoral process.
As the nation anticipates the July elections, the political landscape appears to be characterized by a familiar narrative of Kagame’s continued leadership. Observers will closely watch how the opposition, led by Habineza, navigates the electoral terrain and whether any shifts in political dynamics will emerge.
