Rwanda's longtime President Kagame sworn in for a fourth term
Rwanda's long-serving President Paul Kagame was inaugurated for a fourth term on Sunday. Kagame, who was re-elected in mid-July with over 99% of the vote, took his oath of office at a stadium in the capital, Kigali. The 66-year-old has held effective political power in the East African nation for three decades - initially as Vice President and Minister of Defense, and since 2000 as President. Thanks to a controversial constitutional amendment in 2015, he could potentially remain in office until 2034.
On the international stage, Kagame faces growing criticism over democratic and rule-of-law deficits in Rwanda. Despite his authoritarian style of governance, he remains extremely popular among the population, largely due to his efforts in rebuilding the economy devastated by the 1994 Tutsi genocide. The opposition was virtually powerless in the July election, with only two candidates allowed to run, and several prominent Kagame critics barred from participating.**
The international community has expressed concerns about the democratic rights under The President Kagame's leadership in Rwanda. Despite these criticisms, Kagame continues to enjoy widespread support among the Rwandan population, largely due to his successful economic recovery initiatives following the 1994 genocide.
