Rwanda's 2024 Election: Paul Kagame's Victory with 99% votes

Election Results and Process

• President Paul Kagame won 99.15% of votes in provisional results
• Election held in Rwanda on July 15, 2024
• Two opponents collectively received less than 1% of votes:
  • Frank Habineza (Democratic Green Party): 0.53%
  • Philippe Mpayimana (Independent): 0.32%
• 79% of ballots counted in provisional results
• Final results expected by July 27, 2024
• 9.5 million Rwandans registered to vote out of 14 million population
• Simultaneous presidential and legislative elections for the first time
• National Electoral Commission declared the process "safe and transparent"

Paul Kagame's Political Career and Influence

• Age: 66 years old
• In power since 1994, first as de facto leader, then as president since 2000
• Won previous elections with over 93% of votes in 2003, 2010, and 2017
• Led the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) that ended the 1994 genocide
• Constitutional amendments allow him to potentially rule until 2034
• Credited with rebuilding Rwanda after the genocide
• Praised for impressive economic growth (7.2% average GDP growth from 2012-2022)
• Criticized for authoritarian rule and suppression of opposition
• Accused of meddling in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo

Election Context and Controversies

• Only two challengers allowed to run against Kagame
• Stronger critics blocked from running:
  • Bernard Ntaganda and Victoire Ingabire: previous convictions disqualified them
  • Diane Rwigara: barred due to paperwork issues
• Amnesty International raised concerns about restrictions on political opposition
• Reports of threats, arbitrary detentions, and enforced disappearances
• Imbalance in campaign visibility between Kagame and opponents
• UN report accuses Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels in eastern Congo

Rwanda's Current Situation and Future Outlook

• 65% of the population under 30 years old
• Kagame is the only leader most Rwandans have known
• Economic progress: GDP growth of 7.2% per year between 2012 and 2022
• Poverty concerns: World Bank reports almost half the population lives on less than $2.15 a day
• Parliamentary election held simultaneously:
  • 589 candidates competing for 80 seats
  • 53 seats elected by universal suffrage
  • 27 seats reserved for women, youth, and people with disabilities
• Previous parliament dominated by RPF (40 seats) and allies (11 seats)
• Kagame's supporters praise his leadership in development and security
• Critics worry about lack of political freedom and human rights issues