Kagame, the President of Rwanda, was sworn in to serve for an extended period

On Sunday, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame was sworn into office for a five-year term, following a resounding victory in the previous month’s election, which extended his tenure in office by nearly twenty-five years.

The electoral commission barred eight other candidates, including his most vocal critics, as a result of which the 66-year-old former insurgent leader won the July poll with 99.18% of the vote.

Kagame received recognition from Western and regional leaders for his efforts to eradicate the 1994 genocide and transform Rwanda into a desirable investment and aid destination. However, his reputation has been tarnished by allegations of rights abuses, suppression of dissent, and support for insurgents in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, all of which he has denied.

“Our nation has been a work in progress for the past three decades.” Kagame stated, “This new mandate signifies the commencement of even more rigorous effort.”

“The expectation to continue improving is not a mere fantasy; it is a tangible reality.” We are capable of doing so, and we will.

The Amahoro national Stadium in Kigali hosted the swearing-in ceremony on Sunday. The event was attended by thousands of individuals, many of whom were donning T-shirts that matched the national flag’s yellow, green, and blue hues.

Kagame was saluted by a military 21-gun salute, which was attended by applause from the audience. Twenty-two heads of state from African countries were present.

In 2015, Rwanda’s constitution was amended to permit Kagame to prolong his tenure in office.

Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party and Philippe Mpayimana, an independent, both conceded defeat in the election that took place last month. Rights groups contend that the election was tainted by a crackdown on the media, the opposition, and civil society organizations.