World

Rwanda’s Kagame wins fourth term with 99 percent of vote

Published

2 months ago

July 16, 2024 11:21 am

BodexNG

Rwandan President Paul Kagame was gearing up Tuesday for a fourth term in office after winning a thundering 99.15 percent of the vote in an election where only two challengers were allowed to run against him.

The outcome of Monday’s poll was never in doubt, with Kagame ruling the small African nation with an iron fist as de facto leader then president for three decades.

Partial results issued by the election commission seven hours after polls closed showed that Kagame had won 99.15 percent of the vote — even more than the 98.79 percent he got in the last poll seven years ago.

Democratic Green Party candidate Frank Habineza could only muster 0.53 percent and independent Philippe Mpayimana 0.32 percent, according to the results issued with 79 percent of ballots counted.

In an address from the headquarters of his ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), the 66-year-old thanked Rwandans for giving him another five years in office.

“The results that have been presented indicate a very high score, these are not just figures, even if it was 100 percent, these are not just numbers,” he said.

“These figures show the trust, and that is what is most important,” he added.

“I am hopeful that together we can solve all problems.”

Full provisional results are due by July 20 and definitive results by July 27.

“In general, the electoral process happened in a safe and transparent atmosphere for Rwandans living abroad and at home,” the National Electoral Commission said in a statement.

With 65 percent of the population aged under 30, Kagame is the only leader most Rwandans have ever known.

The bespectacled 66-year-old leader is credited with rebuilding a traumatised nation after the 1994 genocide — but he is also accused of ruling in a climate of fear at home, and fomenting instability in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.

Over nine million Rwandans — about two million first-time voters — were registered to cast their ballot, with the presidential race being held at the same time as legislative elections for the first time.

“(Kagame) gives us everything we ask him, such as health insurance. This is why he wins by a big margin,” said 34-year-old mechanic Francois Rwabakina.

Kagame won with more than 93 percent of the vote in 2003, 2010 and in 2017, when he again easily defeated the same two challengers.

He has overseen controversial constitutional amendments that shortened presidential terms from seven to five years and reset the clock for the Rwandan leader, allowing him to potentially rule until 2034.

Rwandan courts had rejected appeals from prominent opposition figures Bernard Ntaganda and Victoire Ingabire to remove previous convictions that effectively disqualified them from Monday’s vote.

The election commission also barred high-profile Kagame critic Diane Rwigara, citing issues with her paperwork — the second time she was excluded from running.

Ahead of the vote, Amnesty International said Rwanda’s political opposition faced “severe restrictions… as well as threats, arbitrary detention, prosecution, trumped-up charges, killings and enforced disappearances”.

The imbalance between the candidates was evident during the three-week campaign, as the well-oiled PR machine of the ruling RPF swung into high gear.

The party’s red, white and blue colours and its slogans “Tora Kagame Paul” (“Vote Paul Kagame”) and “PK24” (“Paul Kagame 2024”) were everywhere.

His rivals struggled to make their voices heard, with barely 100 people showing up to some events.

Kagame’s RPF militia is lauded for ending the 1994 genocide when it marched on Kigali — ousting the Hutu extremists who had unleashed 100 days of bloodletting targeting the Tutsi minority.

The perpetrators killed around 800,000 people, mainly Tutsis but also Hutu moderates.

Kagame has overseen a remarkable economic recovery, with GDP growing by an average of 7.2 percent per year between 2012 and 2022, although the World Bank says almost half the population lives on less than $2.15 a day.

But abroad, Kigali is accused of meddling in the troubled eastern DRC, where a UN report says its troops are fighting alongside M23 rebels.

In the parliamentary election, 589 candidates were chasing 80 seats, including 53 elected by universal suffrage.

In the outgoing assembly, the RPF held 40 seats and its allies 11, while Habineza’s party had two.

Another 27 spots are reserved for women, the youth and people with disabilities.

World

‘She laughs infectiously’ — Putin says Russia supports Kamala over Trump

Published

2 days ago

September 6, 2024 9:08 am

BodexNG

Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed that Kamala Harris has Russia’s support in the forthcoming US presidential election.

Harris is up against Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, in the race for the White House. Trump is widely perceived as Putin’s ally.

Speaking in a tongue-in-cheek manner at the Eastern economic forum in Vladivostok on Thursday, Putin said Russia would follow US President Joe Biden’s lead and back Harris ahead of the vote.

“We will do the same, we will support her,” Putin said with a chuckle.

“She laughs so expressively and infectiously that it means that everything is fine with her.”

The Russian leader said Trump oversaw the most sanctions on Russia as US leader.

“Ultimately, the choice is up to the American people, and we will respect that choice,” he said.

Last month, Trump praised Putin’s leadership style, saying he was on top of his game.

The former US president also claimed that Russia would not have invaded Ukraine if he were president because he would have stood up to Putin.

In 2016, US intelligence agencies accused Russia of running a disinformation campaign to boost Trump’s electoral chances against Hillary Clinton. Russia denied the claims.

Moscow has also been accused of interfering in the 2024 US election.

World

Burkina Faso launches new passport without ECOWAS logo

Published

3 days ago

September 5, 2024 11:57 am

BodexNG

Burkina Faso has issued new biometric passports without the logo of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) — solidifying its decision to withdraw from the regional bloc.

Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso severed ties with the 15-member body after sanctions were imposed on them in the wake of military coups.

ECOWAS said the countries have to return to constitutional order if they want the sanctions lifted.

All three countries have since accused the alliance of abandoning the spirit of pan-Africanism for selfish interests.

Although ECOWAS only issued a suspension, the countries have denounced plans to return.

Mahamadou Sana, Burkinabe security minister, announced the passport facelift on Tuesday.

“On this passport, there’s no ECOWAS logo, and no mention of ECOWAS either. Since January, Burkina Faso has decided to withdraw from this body, and this is just a realisation of the action already taken by Burkina Faso,” Sana said.

Out of 198 passports globally, Burkina Faso’s ranks 78 with access to 60 visa-free destinations including ECOWAS member-countries, according to the Henley passport ranking.

ECOWAS said the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger would undermine the freedom of movement and common market of the 400 million people living within the 50-year-old bloc.

President Bola Tinubu, ECOWAS chairman, and his team have been persuading the trio to reconsider their decision to exit.

Tinubu also said the bloc would remain friendly to the countries.

World

New Zealand to increase international visitor levy by almost 200%

Published

4 days ago

September 4, 2024 10:23 am

BodexNG

New Zealand will increase its international visitor levy from NZ$35 to NZ$100 starting October 1st, 2024.

The increase is supposed to fund conservation efforts and support tourism.

Though the tourism sector has concerns about its effect on visitor numbers.

This decision, as reported by TravelBiz, was announced by the government, informing that the levy will increase from NZ$35 to NZ$100 (about N98,565 based on the current official rate), representing a 185.7% increase in cost for international visitors.

This move, according to the government,  seeks to have tourists support public services and maintain their experience in New Zealand. But ultimately, this has led to criticism from the tourism sector, which worries it may reduce international visitor numbers.

The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy, which applies to tourists, working holidaymakers, and some students and workers, was introduced to support conservation efforts and tourism infrastructure.

Reports inform that the increased levy will now directly contribute to the upkeep of national parks, improve visitor facilities, and enhance public services that benefit both tourists and residents.

“By paying this fee, visitors are helping to preserve New Zealand’s stunning landscapes and unique biodiversity,” a government spokesperson said.

The tourism industry has expressed concerns that the fee increase could deter potential visitors. Despite this, government officials are optimistic that the higher levy will not diminish New Zealand’s allure as a premier travel destination.

“The fee remains competitive compared to other countries and will help ensure that visitors continue to enjoy high-quality experiences while protecting our environment,” the spokesperson added.

Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others