President Paul Kagame was on Saturday endorsed by his ruling party as its candidate in a presidential election due in July.
The decision was made during an extraordinary congress held at the RPF-Inkotanyi headquarters in Rusororo, Kigali, attended by over 2,000 party cadres on Saturday, March 9.
The party’s list of flag-bearers for both presidential and parliamentary elections, scheduled for July, will soon be shared with the Electoral Commission. Kagame, aged 66, has been Rwanda’s president since 2000 and was last re-elected in 2017 with over 98 percent of the vote.
During the congress, the party reviewed the implementation of its 2017-2024 manifesto and adopted a new five-year plan for its candidates.
RPF’s Secretary General, Wellars Gasamagera, highlighted the party’s achievements in economic development, social welfare, and infrastructure despite challenges like the Covid-19 pandemic.
Gasamagera outlined improvements in economic growth, infrastructure, education, and healthcare, emphasizing the party’s commitment to the national Vision 2050 for sustainable development. He also mentioned plans to focus on green transportation, AI-driven economic growth, and education quality.
Speaking at the congress, RPF’s Vice Chairperson, Uwimana Consolée, expressed gratitude for the party’s achievements over the past three decades, recalling personal experiences and thanking Kagame for his leadership.
In his acceptance speech, Kagame expressed gratitude for the party’s trust and acknowledged the weight of leading the nation, likening it to a “shock absorber” against daily challenges. He emphasized the importance of mindset in facing these challenges.
The selection of Kagame as the RPF’s flag-bearer sets the stage for the 2024 elections, with the party aiming to continue its efforts towards national development and improving the quality of life for all Rwandans.
