Rwandan President Paul Kagame has taken the oath of office for a fourth term, following a landslide victory in last month’s election with 99.18% of the vote.
The inauguration ceremony, attended by dozens of African heads of state and dignitaries, was held at a packed stadium in Kigali.
Kagame’s overwhelming win has sparked concerns among rights activists about the lack of democracy in Rwanda, where only two candidates were allowed to run against him.
Critics accuse Kagame of ruling with an iron fist, suppressing dissent and opposition.
Despite this, Kagame remains popular among many Rwandans, who credit him with rebuilding the nation after the 1994 genocide.
His leadership has brought stability and economic growth at the cost of political freedom and human rights.
Kagame’s fourth term has sparked concerns about his intentions to rule until 2034, potentially following constitutional amendments in 2015. As Rwanda’s leader since 1994, Kagame is the only president most Rwandans have ever known.
