Democracy Is Rwanda’s Losing Candidate – The New York Times – New York Times

Photo Supporters of Rwandan president Paul Kagame attend the closing rally for his campaign in Kigali, two days before he was reelected to office on August 4. Credit Marco Longari/Agence France-Presse Getty Images

Paul Kagame has held the reins of power in Rwanda since 1994, when his forces ousted the Hutu-led government that oversaw the slaughter of 800,000 Tutsis and others.

Since that bloody beginning, Mr. Kagames notable success in turning Rwanda around has raised hopes among not only his supporters but Western governments that, beyond healing divisions at home, he could be a ray of hope in a continent long troubled by authoritarian rulers.

But his election to a third term last week with a ludicrous 99 percent of the vote, against two opponents, is further evidence that despite Mr. Kagames achievements, he has all the makings of yet another strongman going through the motions of democracy.

Rwandas political opposition is all but eliminated, its news media silenced. The United States State Department cited irregularities observed during voting on Aug. 4. Elections in Rwanda have become little more than rubber stamps for Mr. Kagames perpetual presidency. Mr. Kagame has done everything possible to make sure balloting will just be a formality, as he put it last month. And a 2015 constitutional amendment paves the way for Mr. Kagame to remain in office until 2034.

Unlike others in Africa who use similar tactics to stay in power, Mr. Kagame has delivered real progress economic growth, reductions in poverty and maternal mortality, progress in education and a business-friendly environment with low corruption and low crime.

Some of those gains may be exaggerated, however, and lower crime levels have come at a terrible price.

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Democracy Is Rwanda's Losing Candidate - The New York Times - New York Times

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