Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame has secured a decisive election victory, extending his firm grip on power for another seven years, according to partial results released on Monday.
Having been the de facto leader since the end of the 1994 genocide and officially president since 2000, Kagame garnered 99.15 percent of the vote, as announced by the National Election Commission with 79 percent of ballots counted.
This result surpasses his 98.79 percent win in the 2017 election, significantly ahead of his only two authorized opponents. Democratic Green Party candidate Frank Habineza received 0.53 percent, while independent Philippe Mpayimana got 0.32 percent.
The outcome was widely anticipated, given Kagame’s tight control over the political landscape and the barring of several prominent critics from the race.
In an address from the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) headquarters soon after the results were announced, Kagame expressed gratitude to the Rwandan people. “The results that have been presented indicate a very high score; these are not just figures, even if it was 100 percent, these are not just numbers,” he said. “These figures show the trust, and that is what is most important. I am hopeful that together we can solve all problems.”
Full provisional results are expected by July 20, with definitive results by July 27.
With 65 percent of the population under 30, Kagame is the only leader most Rwandans have ever known. The 66-year-old is credited with rebuilding the nation post-genocide but is also criticized for ruling through fear.
Over nine million Rwandans, including about two million first-time voters, were registered to vote in this election, which was held simultaneously with legislative elections for the first time.
“Kagame gives us everything we ask him, such as health insurance. This is why he wins by a big margin,” said 34-year-old mechanic Francois Rwabakina.
In past elections, Kagame secured more than 93 percent of the vote in 2003, 2010, and 2017.
In the parliamentary election, 589 candidates were vying for 80 seats, including 53 elected by universal suffrage. In the outgoing assembly, Kagame’s RPF held 40 seats, its allies 11, while Habineza’s party had two. An additional 27 seats are reserved for women, youth, and people with disabilities.
