Africa > East Africa > Rwanda > Rwanda's Kagame confirms third term run

Rwanda: Rwanda's Kagame confirms third term run

2016/01/02

Rwanda's President Paul Kagame has confirmed that he will seek re-election for a third term in 2017.

The announcement was expected next a referendum approved constitutional changes to allow him to run for three further terms and could potentially see him to remain in power until 2034.

President Kagame said Rwandans had made clear they wanted him to lead the country next 2017, and he could only accept.

He has dominated Rwandan politics since his rebel army ended the 1994 genocide.

Last month's referendum result means the Rwandan leader can run for a third seven-year term in 2017 and again - theoretically - two further five-year terms.

In a televised New Year's address at midnight (22:00 GMT), the 58-year-old president said Rwanda did not need a president for life, and that someone else would take over sooner rather than later.

"You requested me to lead the country again next 2017. Given the importance and consideration you attach to this, I can only accept.

"But I don't think that what we need is an eternal leader," he said.

People's wishes

Part of the president's New Year's message was directed towards his critics abroad.

He was clearly telling them that democracy was at work in Rwanda and that he was only responding to the people's wishes.

The US and the EU have said President Kagame should step down in 2017 to allow a new generation of leaders to emerge.

They as well denounced the results of the referendum, saying voters were not given enough time to make informed decisions.

President Kagame has received widespread praise for bringing economic development to Rwanda, but critics have as well accused him of heavy-handed policy.

Rights groups accuse the government of stifling the media and the political opposition.

Mr Kagame became acting president in 2000 and was again elected in 2003 and 2010. However, he has entirely held power since 1994, at the same time as his rebel force entered the capital, Kigali, to end the country's genocide. He became Defence minister and the majority powerful man in the post-genocide government.

President Kagame's announcement comes at a time at the same time as two other presidents in the region - of the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo - are as well seeking third-term extensions.

In Burundi, the president's decision to seek a third term unleashed violent protests, in which at least 100 people have died since April.

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