Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame was sworn in for a fourth term, securing a remarkable 99.18% of the vote in last month’s elections. The inauguration ceremony, held in a packed 45,000-seat stadium in Kigali, was attended by several African heads of state and dignitaries. Many attendees wore the green, yellow, and blue colors of the Rwandan national flag, showing their support for Kagame, who has ruled Rwanda since the 1994 genocide.
Kagame used his inauguration speech to emphasize the importance of regional peace, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He pointed out that peace cannot be achieved unless the DRC itself takes necessary steps, an indirect criticism of Kinshasa. Kagame has been accused of supporting the M23 rebels in the DRC, with a recent UN report suggesting that Rwandan soldiers are involved in the conflict, something Kagame has not explicitly denied.
The ceremony was attended by Angola’s President João Lourenço, who intended to use the occasion to discuss a crucial ceasefire agreement in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with Rwandan President Paul Kagame. This agreement, brokered by Angola, aimed to halt the ongoing conflict in the region, which has been marked by intense fighting between Congolese forces and the M23 rebel group. However, the ceasefire’s implementation has faced significant challenges, as M23 rebels captured a strategic border town on the very day the ceasefire was supposed to begin, raising concerns about the prospects for lasting peace in the region.
Despite Kagame’s widespread popularity, his regime has been criticized for its oppressive tactics, including silencing dissent and controlling elections. Kagame’s leadership, however, is credited with transforming Rwanda into a stable and prosperous nation after the horrors of the genocide. His tenure, secured through constitutional amendments, could extend until 2034.
