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Faint hopes of the ‘maximum leader’s’ not running dashed
By Anthony Opara
Rwanda’s President, Paul Kagame at the weekend consented to run for a third term, which will see him presiding over the affairs of the Eastern African nation for another 7 years.
This is coming even as the Rwandan President was been unanimously nominated for re-election in the country’s forthcoming presidential polls slated for August and dashes faint hopes held by some that he may very well give up his ambition in the larger interest of the nation.
However, the decision for Kagame to run again was made by 1929 out of 1930 eligible voters at his RPF-Inkotanyi party’s congress on Saturday 17th of June.
He agreed to run in the contest and to continue to lead the country to more prosperity, peace, and stability.
“Now that you brought me here to accept it, I will give it and you my all. I will do it to the best of my ability” the president said.
RPF delegates and representatives from nine other local parties were invited for the congress.
He added: “We must work harder so that what made you ask me to stay longer can be addressed in these seven years”.
Analysts say the move is not unexpected given that by changing the Constitution in 2015, Paul Kagame had already hinted at his likely contest for a third term.
The 59 year old Kagame will face candidates who do not seem to weigh heavily enough to give him a tough challenge.
He will also be able to count on the support of nine political parties out of the 11 registered, despite criticism from the opposition.
If elected, Kagame will be left to retain his seat for another seven year term, after 17 years in power.
While the national economy continues to grow at about seven percent annually, making Rwanda one of Africa’s star economic performers yet, polity watchers say the continuing absence of a post-Kagame succession plan threatens to be a major deficit in the nation’s developmental quest going forward.
The Rwandan presidential election is scheduled for August 4.
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