Rwanda: Kagame re-elected as head of the ruling party

Rwandan President Paul Kagame has been re-elected as chairman of the ruling Rwandese Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi) during the party’s 16th congress on Sunday.

According to a Rwandan national daily, the Rwandan leader received 2, 999 ballots, accounting for 99.8% of the total votes cast, while his closest rival Abdulkarim Harelimana received 3 votes, or 0.2%. The result pleased the party’s followers.

Kagame, who has served as president of Rwanda for 22 years, will now lead the Rwandan Patriotic Front for a further five years. He has done so since 1998.

“I’m very satisfied with the elections, how it went, the results. Especially the re-election of the President of the Republic and President of the RPF, Paul Kagame, who was re-elected by a very large majority of 99.8 percent. ” Olivier Mugabonake, member of the Rwandan Patriotic Front

On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the ruling party since the end of the genocide, 2,000 supporters gathered at the congress in Kigali cast their votes on Sunday.

“It’s true that it’s the work of all Rwandans who have accompanied him in this. But it’s true that the particular character of his leadership has a lot to do with this success. As far as I am concerned, if he runs for a re-election (to the presidency, ed), yes without hesitation.” Karekez said after the announcement of the result.