U.S HAILS REWANDANS, AS PAUL KAGAME WINS PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

WASHINGTON – The United States of America today congratulated Rwandans for their active and peaceful elections just as incumbent President Paul Kagame won, securing the seat for a third term.

Paul Kagame has ruled Rwanda for 17 years. In a statement, Spokesman for the Department of State, Heather Nauert said United States congratulates the people of Rwanda on their active and peaceful participation in the presidential election held August 4.

The statement added that the U.S is disturbed by irregularities observed during voting and reiterate long-standing concerns over the integrity of the vote-tabulation process.

“We commend the Rwandan media for reporting on complaints of harassment of some opposition candidates and Rwandan citizens during the campaign. We likewise commend average citizens, the National Electoral Commission, and government officials for speaking out and addressing those complaints.

“We applaud the televised debate, while noting that voters’ understanding would have benefited from broader participation of the candidates themselves. We remain concerned by the lack of transparency in determining the eligibility of prospective candidates.

“We hope the new electoral law to be debated in the next session of Parliament will clarify that process well before the 2018 parliamentary elections”, the U.S said in the statement, adding that it stands by the people of Rwanda in their efforts to build strong democratic and inclusive institutions in order to ensure long-term stability and a democratic, prosperous future for all.