Rwanda Votes: Paul Kagame Expected to Secure Presidential Win

Voters in Rwanda head to the polls to elect their president, with incumbent Paul Kagame expected to win. Kagame is praised for development efforts since the 1994 genocide but criticized for human rights issues. Provisional results are anticipated by July 20.

Today, voters in Rwanda head to the polls to elect their next president. Incumbent Paul Kagame, who has led the country for almost a quarter of a century, is the frontrunner.

Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. local time for over 9 million eligible voters to cast their ballots. Provisional results are expected by July 20.

Many voters praise Kagame for Rwanda's development and the implementation of effective social services, underscoring his role since ending the 1994 genocide. However, Kagame's tenure has also faced criticism for human rights issues.

Kagame runs against two challengers, Frank Habineza and Philippe Mpayimana, who also contested in 2017. Some dissenting candidates were barred from running due to prior convictions.

Kagame won nearly 99% of the vote in the 2017 elections after a constitutional amendment allowed him to run again. He has been credited with transforming Rwanda into a thriving economy but criticized for stifling opposition and the media.

This election occurs amidst Rwanda's spotlight from a 2022 migration deal with the UK, which Britain now plans to scrap.