Find out the presidential candidates competing in Rwanda's 2024 elections
As Rwanda approaches its July 15 presidential elections, the National Electoral Commission has confirmed three candidates to run for the nation’s highest office.
Among the nine applications received, only President Paul Kagame, Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (DGPR), and independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana were cleared to participate.
President Paul Kagame
Incumbent President Paul Kagame, who has been in power since 2000 and played a pivotal role in ending the 1994 genocide, is seeking a fourth term. Kagame, a dominant figure in Rwandan politics, has faced criticism from opposition groups and international watchdogs for his administration's crackdown on dissent. In 1990, as commander of the forces of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), he led the struggle to liberate the country.
Frank Habineza
Frank Habineza, the founder and president of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (DGPR), is one of Kagame's opposition. Habineza has a history of political activism and has faced major challenges, including fleeing to Sweden in 2010 due to safety concerns. Despite these, he successfully registered the DGPR in 2013.
Habineza’s campaign focuses on addressing unemployment and ending government-imposed monoculture. He has also condemned human rights violations and pledged to review cases of political prisoners.
Philippe Mpayimana
Philippe Mpayimana, an independent candidate and journalist, also joins the race. Having lived in exile since the 1994 genocide, primarily in France and Belgium, Mpayimana is hopeful about garnering support from the Rwandan diaspora.
His campaign promises include continuing Kagame's agricultural policies, improving living standards, providing free water, and imposing a controversial three-child policy to control population growth.
Exclusion of Diane Rwigara
Notably absent from the race is outspoken Kagame critic Diane Rwigara, who was barred from running after failing to provide the necessary documentation and demonstrating sufficient nationwide support.
Rwigara expressed her frustration on social media, criticizing the electoral process and accusing the government of denying her the right to campaign.“Why won't you let me run? This is the second time you [have] cheat[ed] me out of my right to campaign,” she is quoted.
Concerns Over Electoral Fairness
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has raised concerns about the fairness of the upcoming elections, citing a crackdown on opposition, media, and civil society. HRW has urged the Rwandan authorities to ensure that all citizens can freely express their views and vote without intimidation. “The threat of physical harm, arbitrary judicial proceedings, and long prison sentences, which can often lead to torture, have effectively deterred many Rwandans from engaging in opposition activities and demanding accountability from their political leaders,” said Clémentine de Montjoye, senior researcher in the Africa division at HRW.
