The winding roads leading to a town in northern Rwanda were adorned with election posters featuring the long-standing president, Paul Kagame. Businesses were closed, and streets were cleaned in preparation for the president’s convoy passing through, en route to a grand rally at a stadium adorned in the ruling party’s colors of red, white, and sky-blue. A massive crowd, mainly mobilized by party members, enthusiastically welcomed his arrival.
The following day, the town saw the arrival of Mr. Kagame’s main opponent, Frank Habineza, in a much quieter manner. His party’s colors of green, yellow, and white were not prominently displayed in the bustling streets. A small group, including his campaign workers, gathered under a tent to listen to his speech, with security forces nearby.
These contrasting scenes in Byumba, a picturesque town 25 miles north of Kigali, highlight how President Kagame is leveraging his long-held position in the ongoing election campaign in Rwanda.
On Monday, over nine million voters will participate in a presidential and parliamentary election that many analysts and human rights organizations consider to be predetermined. Despite numerous candidates registering for various positions, only Mr. Kagame’s image dominates the landscapes of this mountainous country with a population of 14 million people.
