Rwandan President Paul Kagame will face two challengers in next month’s election, according to a provisional list published Thursday by National Electoral Commission chief Oda Gasinzigwa.
The candidates for the July 15 vote include Kagame, Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party, and independent Philippe Mpayimana, both of whom were also authorised to stand against Kagame in the 2017 election.
Gasinzigwa announced on state television that nine applications were received, with high-profile opposition leader Diane Rwigara notably absent from the list due to failure to meet several requirements, including providing a criminal record statement, proof of Rwandan origin, and sufficient signature endorsements.
Rwigara, previously disqualified in 2017 over accusations of forgery and inciting insurrection, was detained for more than a year before her release and acquittal in 2018.
Kagame, who has been Rwanda’s de facto ruler since the 1994 genocide and president since 2000, is widely expected to win his fourth election, having previously secured over 90 percent of the vote in past elections.
Rwanda will hold both presidential and parliamentary elections on July 15, following the government’s decision last year to synchronize the dates for the votes. A final list of candidates is due on June 14.
