Rwanda's Paul Kagame takes oath of office for third term

Rwanda’s Paul Kagame is to be sworn-in as President for his third term in office after a landslide victory in polls held in early August.

Kagame won the presidential race with 98.7% of the votes. The main opposition party leader Frank Habineza and independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana shared the remaining votes.

The 59-year-old has been leader of the country since the year 2000. Before the last elections, Kagame – a former refugee, military chief and vice-president – has won the last two in 2003 and 2010 – all by over 90% of votes.

Quotes from Kagame’s inaugural address

“Today is a day of celebration and a day to thank each of you. Today is a day of renewal and gratitude. I would therefore like to begin by thanking those who have joined us here.

“The presence of so many brothers & sisters from around Africa honours our nation deeply & gives us strength. We thank you. Africa has been with Rwanda when we needed you most.

“Nothing gives our people greater pride than contributing together with you to the greatness of our continent. Standing alongside us are friends of Rwanda who have always kept our country in their hearts & worked hard to advance it.

“I want to acknowledge the leaders and members of the 8 political parties who joined with RPF to nominate me as their candidate. For twenty-three years, we have collaborated with deep mutual respect to repair the social fabric of our devastated nation.

“I also congratulate the two other candidates who brought their message directly to citizens. Together, we created a positive environment where no vote was cast against anyone but rather all were cast for.

“If we always succeed in rallying so strongly around ideas and leadership that work best for all of us it would be a good thing.”

“ They demand we replace systems that are working well for us with dogmas in which their own people are rapidly losing faith. Africa has no civilizational problems, only assets. Sans aucun doute.

Over centuries of adversity, our civilisation sustained us. Today, it endows us with ambition, compassion and creativity. Africans are the biggest students of our own problems.”

After taking oath, CJ Rugege hands over to Paul Kagame, the national symbols: Constitution, National Flag and National Emblem. He also received a sword from the Chief of Defence Staff of Rwanda Defence Forces.

“Rwanda is a country that has come far away. Through all we have passed through, Rwanda is a blessed country.

“We are here to celebrate a man through whom the best things our country has seen are manifested. Electoral campaign was marked by a festive mood all across the country.”

Roll call of African leaders present

• The President of Niger, Mahamadou Issoufou
• Acting President of Nigeria Prof. Yemi Osinbajo
• Gabonese President Ali Bongo
• Zambian President Edgar Lungu
• The President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir
• President Idris Deby Itno of Chad
• Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo
• President Guelleh is the Head of State for Djibouti
• President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda
• President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya
• President Alpha Condé of Guinea who is also the African Union chair
• Faustin Archange Touadera of the Central African Republic
• Brahim Ghali of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
• President Macky Sall of Senegal
• President Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo
• President Hage Gottfried Geingob of Namibia.
• Prime Minister of São Tomé and Príncipe, Patrice Emery Trovoada
• Vice-President of Ivory Coast, Daniel Kablan Duncan
• Acting Vice-President of the Gambia and Minister of Women’s Affairs, Fatoumata Jallow-Tambajang.
• The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat
• Former Botswana President Festus Mogae
• Former Tanzania President Benjamin Mkapa.
• The Speaker of Parliament of Equatorial Guinea, Gaudencio Mohaba Mesu
• Speaker of the Moroccan House of Representatives, Habib El Malki
• Speaker of Parliament of the Democratic Republic of Congo Aubin Minaku.
• Deputy United Nations Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed
• Prime Minister of Madagascar
• Foreign Affairs ministers of Ghana, Benin, Eritrea, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Tunisia, Liberia

Source: AfricaNews