Rwandans are casting their votes today in a presidential election expected to reaffirm President Paul Kagame’s long-standing tenure, which began in 1994.
In Kigali, the capital city, some voters arrived as early as 5 a.m., eagerly waiting in long lines for the polls to open.
“This is my first time voting. I support President Kagame because I’ve never seen a leader like him before,” said Jean Claude Nkurunziza, a motorcycle taxi driver.
Election officials report that 9.5 million Rwandans out of a population of 14 million are registered to vote. Provisional results are anticipated later today.
The election outcome is widely predicted to favor Kagame, an authoritarian figure who faces nominal opposition. His challengers include Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana, who have struggled to gain significant support during their campaigns.
Habineza expressed optimism about his party’s performance, stating to the AP on Monday that they have made strides since the last election.
Kagame, 66, came to power after leading rebel forces that seized control of Rwanda’s government and halted the 1994 genocide. He initially served as vice president and de facto leader before assuming the presidency in 2000. While criticized for authoritarian tactics, Kagame is also lauded for overseeing Rwanda’s impressive growth since the genocide.
Like several other African leaders, Kagame has extended his rule by amending term limits. In a 2015 referendum, Rwandans voted to remove the two-term limit, potentially allowing Kagame to remain in office until 2034.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Kagame asserted that his leadership mandate is rooted in popular support.