By Carine Kanimba, elected WLC LC member and WLC Spokesperson.
99.15% do you truly believe that a country claiming to be democratic would yield such results? Not even Vladimir Putin, with all his authoritarian tactics, dares to give himself these numbers. Yet Paul Kagame’s Rwanda reports a staggering 99.15% win in elections. Such results are reminiscent of autocratic regimes like Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, where leaders regularly claim victories of over 95%, manipulating the electoral process to maintain their grip on power.
If Kagame were so popular, why did he not allow other viable candidates to run? Diane Rwigara and Victoire Ingabire were barred from even entering the race. What was he afraid of? If he is indeed as beloved as the propaganda suggests, why not prove it through a fair competition? Instead, he forced the people of Rwanda to stand in crowds to fool the international community into believing he is loved.
Once again, Paul Kagame has claimed victory in an election that is little more than a charade, a façade of democracy that mocks the very principles it purports to uphold. Worst of all, Kagame’s so-called “win” is an affront to the intelligence and dignity of the Rwandan people, an assertion that he alone is capable to lead our nation. This is not leadership; it is tyranny.
Supporters of Kagame often highlight the cleanliness of Kigali’s streets and the economic progress made under his rule. But are the Rwandan people truly better off today than 10 years ago? The poverty rate in Rwanda remains alarmingly high, with many Rwandans struggling to meet their basic needs. In 2023, the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office published that 56.5%, more than half of the Rwandan population, lives on less than $1.90 a day and that poverty reduction has remained stagnant since 2014. This lack of improvement comes despite the fact that Rwanda remains one of the biggest recipients of foreign aid as percentage of GDP. Where has this money gone?
Not only has Kagame failed to provide material improvement in the living standards of the average Rwandan, but his regime also suppresses dissent and freedom of expression.
In Rwanda, political opponents and critics are not merely defeated—they are imprisoned or killed. This brutal reality silences dissent and stifles any hope for true democratic governance. I have witnessed this first-hand. My father, Paul Rusesabagina, a hero of the Rwandan genocide, was abducted and imprisoned for daring to speak out against Kagame’s regime. Our family’s ordeal is far from unique. Many Rwandans who call for human rights and genuine democracy face persecution, intimidation, and violence, and this even on foreign soil for those that were force flea this persecution.
As a survivor of the Rwandan genocide, it saddens me deeply to see our people still gripped by fear and oppression. We once emerged from the shadows of horror, hoping for a future of peace and democratic freedom. Instead, we are subjected to a regime that suppresses these very ideals.
The international community often turns a blind eye to Kagame’s actions, perhaps because of the guilt of inaction during the genocide, or because Rwanda is a key player in a region that is critical for the supply of minerals and “security partner”. This should not come at the expense of fundamental freedoms. Instead he is destabilizing the region with what’s happening in the DRC. The pretense of free elections cannot mask the reality of an authoritarian regime. This tacit approval emboldens Kagame, allowing him to continue his authoritarian practices without fear of significant repercussions.This has fostered an environment where authoritarian tactics are seen as acceptable pathways to development, undermining democratic values across the continent.
Kagame’s tactics are not unique. His methods mirror those of other autocratic leaders worldwide who maintain power through fear and repression. In Russia, Vladimir Putin has systematically dismantled the opposition, with prominent critics like Alexei Navalny jailed and poisoned to death. In Cameroon, President Paul Biya has been in power for decades, suppressing opposition and maintaining control through questionable elections. These leaders, like Kagame, perpetuate the lie that they are indispensable to their countries’ stability and progress.
True democracy is built on the principles of freedom, equality, and the rule of law. It respects the will of the people and allows for the peaceful transfer of power. When leaders manipulate elections and suppress opposition, they betray these principles and undermine the foundation of a just society.
Rwandans deserve better than a leader who believes he is the only one capable of governing. We deserve a system where diverse voices can be heard, where leaders are chosen through fair and transparent processes, and where human rights are respected. The world must not be fooled by the veneer of democracy that Kagame projects. His “victories” are hollow, achieved through oppression and deceit.
The ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), fueled by Kagame further highlights the destructive nature of his rule. Rwanda’s invasion of the DRC has resulted in countless deaths and displaced communities, exacerbating regional instability. Kagame’s actions in the DRC are a stark contrast to the image of a benevolent leader he tries to project, revealing a pattern of aggression and exploitation.
It is time for the international community to hold Kagame accountable, to stand with the Rwandan people in their demand for true democracy. We must reject the notion that any one person is indispensable and embrace the idea that a nation’s strength lies in the freedom and potential of its people.
Paul Kagame’s reign is a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked power. As we continue to call for justice and human rights in Rwanda, we must also remain vigilant against the spread of authoritarianism globally. If you want freedom, decency, and hope to prevail, join our resistance against the autocratic rules of Kagame and his fellow dictators.
