Rwanda’s President to Contest for Fourth Term

Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame has said he will run for a fourth term in next year’s presidential election.

Kagame told the French Language Magazine that he is the candidate.

Asked about what the West would think about his decision to run again, Kagame said is sorry for the West, but what the West thinks is not his problem”.

He said is happy with the confidence that the Rwandans have in me therefore will always serve them, as much when he can.”

Kagame had in April said he was looking forward to retiring and handing over power after 23 years in office.

The country’s ruling party, the Rwandan Patriotic Front retained Kagame as its chairman in April and has led the party since 1998.

Kagame has been president of the East African nation since 2000 and a controversial referendum in 2015 removed a two-term constitutional limit for presidents.

He won the last election in 2017 with 98.8% of the vote.

Rwanda under President Kagame has enjoyed relative political stability but critics and human rights groups accuse his government of limiting political freedoms and suppressing dissent.