Rwanda’s Kagame: I’ll ‘Most Likely’ not Seek Reelection in 2024

Rwandan President Paul Kagame has said he will “most likely” not contest for a fourth term in office.

Speaking to global leaders at the Doha Forum in Doha, Qatar on Saturday, Kagame, was asked about his perspective of leaders who overstay in power.

He said in some situations, leaders who have overstayed in power have transformed their countries while others have been a big disappointment.

Asked if he himself would stand for the fourth term in office, Kagame responded: “Most likely not.”

The moderator chipped in: “But not a definitive not?”

Kagame answered: “When I say most likely. I don’t know, I always don’t want to lock myself into anything.”

He added: “I want to have some breathing space…”

Kagame led rebels who took power in 1994, stopping the genocide.

He would later serve as Defence Minister and Vice President until March 2000 when he was elected President.

Briefing journalists in Rwanda in February 2013, Kagame, who was serving the second term, said he was not interested in a third term in office.

“I don’t want a third term in office. I want to carry out my responsibilities to my level best,” said Kagame.

“I said what I said with utmost clarity. I am not responsible for other versions. This debate was started by the media; we are only putting issues into context,” he emphasised.

However, Kagame later contested for another seven-year third term after a referendum provided for a Constitutional amendment scrapping the term limits.

In Doha, Kagame said “given the way things are or have been in the past…it depends on two things (people’s choice and his own decision) but I think I have made my mind where I am concerned personally that it is not going to happen the next time.”

The amended Constitution allows Kagame to run for two more five-year terms after completing the seven-year term in 2024.

This means if he so wishes, Kagame can seek reelection until 2034.

Kagame is credited for transforming Rwanda from the ashes of genocide in 1994 but has been criticized for suppressing civil liberties and meddling in the domestic affairs of neighbouring countries.