US condemns Kagame’s decision to run for third term

Paul Kagame has announced he will run for a third term

The United States have criticised Paul Kagame’s decision to run for a third term in office and said it was deeply concerned and disappointed by his decision.

Kagame used the opportunity afforded by the December 18 referendum, which saw voters endorse constitutional amendments, to decide to run for a third seven-year term in 2017.

John Kirby, State Department spokesman said in a statement, “With this decision, President Kagame ignores a historic opportunity to reinforce and solidify the democratic institutions the Rwandan people have for more than 20 years laboured so hard to establish.”

 “The United States believes constitutional transitions of power are essential for strong democracies and that efforts by incumbents to change rules to stay in power weaken democratic institutions.

“We are particularly concerned by changes that favour one individual over the principle of democratic transitions.

“As Rwanda moves towards local elections this year, presidential elections next year, and parliamentary elections in 2018, we call upon the government of Rwanda to ensure and respect the rights of its citizens to exercise their freedom of expression, conscience, and peaceful assembly- the hallmarks of true democracies,” Kirby added.

The Rwandan President had announced on Friday that he would run for a third term in line with the constitutional amendment which got a large support during the referendum.