President Paul Kagame to run for third term in Rwanda

Paul Kagame’s second seven-year term as president expires in 2017

Paul Kagame’s second seven-year term as president expires in 2017 (EPA)

Rwandan President Paul Kagame declared today that he will run for a third term in office after his second seven-year term expires in 2017, despite opposition to the move from the United States.

Last month 98 per cent of those who voted in a referendum approved a revised constitution to allow Mr Kagame to extend his tenure in office. “You requested me to lead the country again after 2017. Given the importance and consideration you attach to this, I can only accept,” Mr Kagame said.

He became president in 2000 after being Rwanda’s de facto leader since 1994. He is credited with stabilising the country and promoting economic growth after the genocide, and won the backing of the British government; but critics say he is an authoritarian ruler who does not tolerate opposition and he is accused of human rights abuses.

Rwanda’s political opposition criticised the referendum as undemocratic, and the US has opposed Mr Kagame’s attempt to stay in power. Appearing to address that, Mr Kagame said: “Even misguided or deliberately harmful criticism can be the start of a conversation ... what is important is that we respect each other.”

Other leaders in East and Central Africa have prolonged their rule.

In 2005, Ugandan lawmakers changed their constitution, allowing President Yoweri Museveni to seek re-election in 2006 and 2011. He is running again in 2016.

There has been violence in Burundi since April last year, when President Pierre Nkurunziza ran for and won a third term that many oppose.

There have also been protests in Kinshasa over efforts by the Congolese president, Joseph Kabila, who has been in power for 15 years, to prolong his time in office.

AP