Paul Kagame, the president of Rwanda, has said he would consider remaining in office for another 20 years.
Kagame, who modified the Rwandan constitution in 2015, allowing him to remain in office till 2034, made this known in a recent interview with France 24.
“I would consider running for another 20 years. I have no problem with that. Elections are about people choosing,” he responded when asked if he would seek re-election in 2024.
His decision is a u-turn from his comments in 2019 when he said he would not be interested in the presidential office come 2024.
Speaking at a summit in Doha, Kagame had said he was likely to step down after his tenure ends and have some “breathing space”.
“Most likely no. I want to have some breathing space but given how things are and how they have been in the past, I have made up my mind where I am personally concerned, that it is not going to happen next time,” he had said.
The 64-year-old leader, who came to power in 1994 after his rebel forces helped end the genocide, has been in power for over two decades, contesting and winning three presidential elections in 2000, 2010 and 2017.
Should he contest again in 2024, it would be his fourth time of vying for Rwanda’s presidential seat. If he wins and remains in office for another 20 years as he said, he would be ruling Rwanda for over 40 years.
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