Africa

Rwanda’s President Kagame announces fourth term bid

Published

7 months ago

September 20, 2023

Rwanda’s president Paul Kagame

Rwanda’s President Kagame announces fourth term bid

Rwanda’s president Paul Kagame declared he will run for a fourth term next year, saying that “what the West thinks is not my problem,” after the United States and others criticized the earlier lifting of term limits to extend his rule.

Kagame made the announcement in an interview with the French-language publication Jeune Afrique published Tuesday.

The 65-year-old Kagame has been president since 2000 and was declared the winner of the previous election in 2017 with more than 98% of the vote. He has been the de facto leader since Rwanda’s 1994 genocide.

He is one of a number of African leaders who have prolonged their rule by pursuing changes to term limits. In 2015, Rwandans in a referendum voted to lift a two-term limit. Kagame could stay in power until 2034 if he wins a five-year term next year and then another.

When asked what he thought the West would think of him running again, he replied, “I’m sorry for the West, but what the West thinks is not my problem.”

Kagame was re-elected as chair of the ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front party earlier this year for another five-year term. The U.S.-based watchdog Freedom House described Rwanda as “not free” in its latest report and said the party has been “banning and repressing any opposition group that could mount a serious challenge to its leadership.”

Political analyst Gonzaga Muganwa, a former executive secretary of the Rwanda Journalists Association, said Kagame’s control over the party is total and that “All the legal political parties in the country are subservient to his authority.”

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“Rwandans expect him to be around until at least 2034 unless a major upheaval happens. In the leadup to the polls, his biggest challenge is managing the cost-of-living crisis as food inflation is wiping away any rise in incomes” since the COVID-19 pandemic, Muganwa said.

Kagame and his government have received praise for stabilizing the country and developing public health and the economy since the genocide in which more than 800,000 people were killed. But human rights groups and other critics have long accused the government of harshly targeting opponents, including with extrajudicial killings even far outside the country’s borders.

The government has rejected such allegations. But earlier this year, under diplomatic pressure, Rwanda released Paul Rusesabagina, who had inspired the film “Hotel Rwanda,” after tricking onto a plane to the country and convicted of terror offenses in a widely criticized trial.

The other candidate who has declared he will run for president is lawmaker Frank Habineza with the Green Democratic party, who received 0.45% of the votes in 2017.

Habineza told The Associated Press his party was not surprised by Kagame’s announcement and will continue to fight for democracy.

“As we speak now, there is a high level of poverty and people have no food and youth have no jobs. This is what bothers Rwandans,” he said.

Some Kagame supporters believe he needs more time. William Harerimana, a 53-year-old businessman, said “we need to be patient a bit more and under him, the country will register more economic growth and benefit all Rwandans.”

Rwanda’s President Kagame announces fourth term bid

Africa

Navy helicopters collide mid-air, 10 dead

Published

4 days ago

April 23, 2024

Trends Admin

Navy helicopters collide mid-air, 10 dead

Ten people have died after two navy helicopters collided in mid-air during a military rehearsal for a Royal Malaysian Navy parade.

One of the choppers clipped the rotor of the other before the two crashed into the ground, footage published on local media show.

The incident took place at 09:30 local time (02:30 BST) in the Malaysian town of Lumut, which is home to a navy base.

There are no known survivors.

“All victims were confirmed dead on site and the remains were sent to the [Lumut] Military Hospital for identification,” said the Royal Malaysian Navy.

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It added that it will form a committee to investigate the cause of the incident.

One of the helicopters, a HOM M503-3 with seven people on board, is believed to have crashed onto a running track.

The other, a Fennec M502-6 carrying the other three victims, crashed into a swimming pool nearby.

The state’s fire and rescue department said it was alerted to the incident at 09:50 local time (01:50 GMT).

In March, a Malaysian coast guard helicopter crashed into the sea off Malaysia’s Angsa Island during a training flight.

The pilot, co-pilot and two passengers on board were found and rescued by fishermen.

Navy helicopters collide mid-air, 10 dead

BBC

Africa

League of African Ambassadors congratulates Senegal’s President-elect, Bassirou Faye

Published

4 weeks ago

March 30, 2024

Trends Admin

Bassirou Faye

League of African Ambassadors congratulates Senegal’s President-elect, Bassirou Faye

The League of African Ambassadors, a coalition of African diplomats, extends its heartfelt congratulations to Bassirou Diomaye Faye on his historic election as the President-elect of the Republic of Senegal.

In a statement released today and signed by the President of the group, Amb. Nwannebuike Eze Ominyi, the League heralded Faye’s triumph as a significant milestone for democracy not only in West Africa but across the entire continent.

Faye’s victory underscores the resilience of democratic values and processes in Senegal.

Ominyi emphasized the transformative nature of Faye’s ascent to power, characterizing it as a generational shift in Senegal’s political landscape. He urged Faye to swiftly address the pressing social and economic challenges confronting the nation, underscoring the importance of prioritizing the well-being of Senegal’s citizens.

Faye’s remarkable victory comes a mere 10 days after his release from prison, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to democratic principles. Despite facing formidable obstacles, Faye’s courage, determination, and unwavering dedication to the democratic cause propelled him to triumph.

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The League lauded Faye’s tireless efforts to deepen democracy in Senegal and his ability to unite diverse segments of society. His extensive political experience and commitment to national development have garnered widespread support, particularly among the country’s youth.

“Faye’s years of political activism and democratic advocacy have earned him the trust and admiration of the Senegalese people,” Ominyi remarked. “His leadership will undoubtedly serve as a beacon of inspiration for other African leaders, guiding them towards inclusive governance and sustainable development.”

As Senegal charts a course towards economic recovery and political stability, Faye’s leadership promises to set a precedent for excellence and progress. The League of African Ambassadors and High Commissioners stands ready to support President-elect Bassirou Faye in his efforts to build a prosperous and inclusive Senegal.

About the League of African Ambassadors and High Commissioners:

The League of African Ambassadors and High Commissioners is a prominent non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting democracy, peace, and development across the African continent. Comprising distinguished diplomats and leaders, the League advocates for inclusive governance and socioeconomic progress in Africa.

League of African Ambassadors congratulates Senegal’s President-elect, Bassirou Faye

Africa

How Mali army killed 13 civilians in drone strikes – Amnesty

Published

1 month ago

March 28, 2024

Trends Admin

How Mali army killed 13 civilians in drone strikes – Amnesty

Mali’s army has killed at least 13 civilians, including seven children aged between two and 17, in drone strikes in the north of the country, Amnesty International said Wednesday.

One man told the London-based rights group he had lost his wife and six of his children in the night-time air raid on the area of Amasrakad on March 17.

The army had described the two strikes as “having contributed to neutralising many terrorists”, Amnesty said, but that claim was refuted by the accounts of seven survivors and witnesses.

A first strike hit a pick-up truck, then a second struck a makeshift shelter where residents had sought refuge, killing nine people instantly, Amnesty said.

Three more people died of their wounds and a woman discovered later that her unborn foetus had died.

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“It is unconscionable that whole families could be killed by drone strikes, without any accountability or justice,” said Amnesty’s Samira Daoud.

“Authorities in Mali must ensure an effective and independent investigation into the killings of these civilians.”

Mali has since 2012 been ravaged by different jihadist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group, as well as by self-declared self-defence forces and bandits.

The country has been under military rule since back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021, with the security situation compounded by a profound humanitarian and political crisis.

Amnesty says the army has intensified military operations against Al-Qaeda, IS and former rebel groups since mid-2023, regularly conducting drone strikes.

It said an increase in military operations in the regions of Kidal and Gao over the last few months had pushed many people to flee to Amasrakad.