The upcoming general elections in Rwanda, scheduled for July 14-16, are unfolding with a familiar pattern as two opposition parties, despite holding seats within the ruling party’s circles, have declared their intention to maintain the status quo.
On Sunday, the Liberal Party (PL) formally endorsed the incumbent President Paul Kagame for a fourth term. Led by Donatille Mukabalisa, who also serves as the speaker of the Rwandan parliament, the PL’s decision mirrored that of Vincent Biruta’s Social Democratic Party, announced earlier.
Dr. Biruta, Rwanda’s current Minister for Foreign Affairs, expressed his party’s focus on the parliamentary elections, aiming to advocate for an increase in the number of MPs in the lower house of Rwanda’s bicameral parliament from the current 80.
Mukabalisa emphasized Kagame’s leadership qualities, urging Rwandans to vote for him to extend his three-decade tenure, citing significant development under his leadership.
However, the political landscape is not without controversy. In the 2017 presidential elections, opposition figures like Victoire Ingabire and Diane Rwigara faced hurdles, including imprisonment and disqualification, leaving only marginal opposition candidates like Frank Habineza and Phillipe Mpayimana.
Ingabire, once again sidelined due to a constitutional provision barring former convicts from civil duties without government rehabilitation, criticized the ruling party for avoiding strong competitors. She hinted at Mpayimana’s potential return to the race, noting his past electoral performance.
Other lesser-known candidates like Gilbert Mwenedata and Fred Ssekikubo, who previously attempted to run for president but were disqualified, might also re-enter the political arena.
Despite these dynamics, President Kagame has already secured the endorsement of the ruling RPF-Inkotanyi party as its flagbearer for the upcoming elections.
