U.S., EU reject Kagame’s third term bid

Rwandan President Paul Kagame claims that his decision to run for a third term has received the approval of his country’s citizens, he is still faced with mounting opposition from the international community.

Specifically, the United States (U.S.) and the European Union (EU) have said that Kagame should step down in 2017 to allow a new generation of leaders to emerge with the U.S. saying it was ‘deeply disappointed’ and concerned by the move.

They also denounced the results of the referendum based on which he decided to run for a third term, saying voters were not given enough time to make informed decisions.

The U.S. State Department’s spokesman John Kirby, in a statement noted that, “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.”

Also, a statement by EU’s Foreign Policy Chief, Federica Mogherini said: “The adoption of provisions that can apply only to one individual weakens the credibility of the constitutional reform process, as it undermines the principle of democratic change of government. The amendments to the Rwandan constitution recently approved by Parliament -if confirmed by referendum -would give rise to this situation,” she said

Last month’s referendum result means Kagame can run for a third seven-year term in 2017 and then two further five-year terms.

In a televised New Year’s address the president, 58, said Rwanda did not need a president for life, and that someone else would take over sooner rather than later.

“You requested me to lead the country again after 2017. Given the importance and consideration you attach to this, I can only accept. But I don’t think that what we need is an eternal leader,” he said.

Part of the president’s New Year’s message was directed towards his critics abroad as he seems to be clearly telling them that democracy was at work in Rwanda and that he was only responding to the people’s wishes.

The December 18 referendum saw voters massively approved constitutional amendments allowing Kagame, 58, to run for an exceptional third seven-year term in 2017. Washington and the European Union have consistently expressed deep concern at any such move.

“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,” Kirby said in the strongly-worded statement. “We are particularly concerned by changes that favor one individual over the principle of democratic transitions.

“As Rwanda moves toward 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.”

The adjustment of the presidential term rules was done despite the unfolding political crisis in neighbouring Burundi.

At least 200 people have died and tens of thousands have left the country after months of violence and protests since President Pierre Nkurunziza declared he would seek a third term in office, which he then won in a contested vote in July.

Nkurunziza, a former Hutu rebel leader, became Burundi’s first democratically elected president after its civil war, but is now reluctant to leave power.

In a touch of irony, Kagame recently gave a speech pointedly critical of Nkurunziza, saying he was allowing his people to die.

“No one knows where he is, no one can talk to him, how he leads his people, people are dying every day, dead bodies are being dragged on the streets every day,” Kagame had said.

In October, Congo Republic voted in a referendum which cleared its 72-year old President, Denis Sassou Nguesso, to legally stand for a third consecutive term in next year’s election.

In October 2014, Burkina Faso’s leader of 27 years was toppled, amid violent protests as he made to stay put in office.

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