Rwandan President Paul Kagame was officially sworn in for his fourth term on Sunday, following his decisive victory in last month’s election, where he secured more than 99 percent of the vote. The inauguration ceremony, held at a packed 45,000-seat stadium in Kigali, was attended by several dozen African heads of state and dignitaries.
Kagame took the oath of office before Chief Justice Faustin Ntezilyayo, pledging to “preserve peace and national sovereignty, consolidate national unity.” Despite the overwhelming support reflected in the election results, rights activists have criticized the outcome, pointing to a lack of genuine democracy in Rwanda. Only two out of eight candidates were allowed to run against Kagame, with several prominent critics of his regime barred from the race.
As Kagame begins another five-year term, his leadership continues to be a point of contention. While he is credited with transforming Rwanda following the 1994 genocide, his government has faced accusations of suppressing dissent through intimidation, arbitrary detentions, and enforced disappearances. These concerns were echoed by activists who described his landslide victory as indicative of Rwanda’s repressive political environment.
During the ceremony, Kagame was hailed by many of his supporters for his role in rebuilding the nation. A 27-year-old trader, Tania Iriza, who attended the event, expressed her admiration, saying, “Under his leadership, Rwanda has risen from our tragic past and forged a path towards prosperity, unity, and innovation.”
In addition to the inauguration, Kagame also engaged in private talks with Angola’s President Joao Lourenco on a ceasefire deal concerning the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where Rwanda has been accused of backing the M23 rebel group.
Kagame, who has won every presidential election he has contested since taking power, oversaw constitutional amendments in 2015 that allow him to potentially remain in office until 2034.
