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The Rwandan presidential election campaigns have officially commenced, marking the beginning of a significant political event in the nation’s democratic calendar.
Three candidates are vying for the nation’s highest office, including the incumbent, Paul Kagame of Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF).
Kagame, who has ruled Rwanda for 24 years, is seeking re-election following a 2015 constitutional amendment that permitted him to run for three additional terms. This change allowed him to seek a seven-year third term in 2017. However, the amended constitution also introduced a reduction in presidential term limits to five years, starting in 2024.
Other contenders in the race include Frank Habineza of the opposition Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and Philippe Mpayimana, running as an independent candidate.
Kagame kicked off his campaign in the Musanze district of the Northern Province.
Habineza, on his part, commenced his campaign in the Gasabo District of Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, where he spoke to his supporters. Meanwhile, Mpayimana kicked off his campaign in the Kirehe District in the eastern part of the country.
Both of Kagame’s opponents have previously contested against him, but they were unsuccessful in their attempts. Habineza and Mpayimana have each challenged Kagame in past elections, but garnered less than 1% of the vote.
Kagame, 66, has ruled Rwanda since 2000.
Kagame has severally been accused by western human rights organizations of suppressing civil liberties, a charge he vehemently denies.
While campaigning on Saturday, Kagame accused Western countries of adopting double standards on democracy.
“There are some people who misunderstand democracy. We have our own way of understanding it, based on the results of our uniqueness and the work that needs to be done to transform our lives as Rwandans,” he said.
“Democracy means choosing what is right for you, what you want, and having freedom in that choice. Democracy is not about people choosing on your behalf; no one should decide for you. You have to make your own choices,” the president added.
“That is how it should be understood everywhere, including where it supposedly originates from. For those who claim to be the creators of democracy, no one chooses for them. That is why they have no right to decide for others. Our choices are a result of our unique context, the uniqueness of our challenges, of our country,” he added.