Paul Kagame, the Rwandan President has announced that he will be vying for a re-election in 2024, with the hope to extend almost a quarter of a century in power.
Kagame, who became president in the year 2000, is allowed to continue in office for another decade after a constitutional amendment in 2015 changed the term limits that would have mandated him to step down two years later.
However, Kagame has faced mounting criticism for what human rights groups have tagged “suppression of political opposition and the muzzling of independent media.”
Kagame, has however, rejected these accusations.
The United States had in 2015 castigated the constitutional change, stating that Kagame should resign when his term ended and allow a fresh generation of leaders to lead the country.
An interview with Jeune Afrique had seen Kagame reveal that he was not bothered by the criticisms from Western countries.
He had said:
“People should be independent and be allowed to shape themselves as they wish.”
