Rwandan President Paul Kagame has secured a historic fourth term in the recent election, according to unofficial results released on Tuesday. Chrysologue Karangwa, President of the Electoral Commission of Rwanda, announced Kagame’s victory, with the incumbent receiving 7,099,810 votes, representing an overwhelming 99.15% of the total 9,071,157 votes cast.

Kagame, 66, who leads the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), easily defeated his nearest competitor, Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party, who garnered 38,301 votes (0.53%). Phillipe Mpayimana, another contender, received 22,753 votes (0.32%).

This election marks Rwanda’s fourth since the devastating 1994 genocide. Voters not only cast their ballots for the presidential seat but also for parliamentary positions. The counting of parliamentary votes is still ongoing, with over 500 candidates vying for 80 seats in the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of parliament.

Kagame has been a central figure in Rwandan politics since the end of the 1994 genocide, initially as a de facto leader and officially becoming president in 2000. His 2017 election victory saw him securing more than 98% of the vote. Kagame’s recent campaign emphasized his commitment to inclusive development, national security, and improving the livelihoods of all Rwandans.

His eligibility to run in the current election was due to a 2015 constitutional amendment allowing him to seek three additional terms. While this amendment provided Kagame with a seven-year term in 2017, it also stipulated that presidential terms would be reduced to five years starting in 2024.

As Rwanda awaits the final results of the parliamentary elections, Kagame’s resounding victory underscores his continued dominance in the country’s political landscape. His administration will face the ongoing challenge of maintaining Rwanda’s rapid development and stability while addressing the needs and aspirations of its citizens.

The Rwandan government has stated that the UK will not receive a refund on the £270 million paid for the Conservative Party’s asylum scheme, even after the new Labour government decided to cancel the program. Dr. Doris Uwicyeza Picard, representing the Rwandan Ministry of Justice, emphasized that Rwanda has fulfilled its part of the agreement by preparing to accommodate thousands of migrants, addressing what was essentially a UK issue.

Despite the UK’s £270 million payment under the Migration and Economic Development Partnership, no migrants have been forcibly deported to Rwanda. Only four failed asylum seekers have voluntarily relocated after being offered £3,000. While British ministers have not formally provided the required three months’ notice to terminate the five-year agreement, Dr. Uwicyeza Picard acknowledged Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer’s decision to end the deal following his election victory.

According to a clause in the agreement, the UK can withdraw from additional payments of £50 million in 2025 and 2026 without penalties. However, the government is likely to continue supporting the four asylum seekers who moved to Kigali. Dr. Uwicyeza Picard highlighted Rwanda’s commitment to the partnership and the resources invested to accommodate migrants, expressing hope that the good faith between the countries would persist despite changes in UK government policies.

She also addressed criticisms and misconceptions about the deal, pointing out that Rwanda’s involvement was to assist with a UK-initiated solution and not a reflection on Rwanda itself. Dr. Uwicyeza Picard criticized the UN refugee agency for its inconsistent stance on Rwanda’s safety for different migrant groups.

The termination of the agreement complicates matters for a group of Sri Lankan Tamil asylum seekers transferred to Rwanda from the British territory of Diego Garcia, who feel unsafe and isolated. The UK’s Labour government plans to redirect the £75 million saved from scrapping the Rwanda scheme to establish a new border security command aimed at combating people-smuggling gangs.

Labour also intends to reintegrate more than 90,000 migrants earmarked for deportation into the UK’s asylum system, allowing them to apply for leave to remain. Additionally, the government faces potential compensation claims from over 200 migrants who were detained for planned flights to Rwanda without a realistic prospect of removal.

Labour criticizes the previous government’s expenditure on the scheme, arguing that the funds could have been better used to enhance UK border security. They pledge to create a Border Security Command to tackle smuggling operations more effectively.

Starmer Scraps Controversial Rwanda Plan in First Major Policy Announcement

In his first major policy move since securing a landslide victory in the recent elections, Britain’s new Prime Minister Keir Starmer has declared the controversial Rwanda plan “dead and buried.” The plan, initially introduced by the previous Conservative government in 2022, aimed to send asylum seekers who arrived in Britain without permission to the East African nation of Rwanda.

Background and Legal Challenges

The Rwanda plan was announced with the intention of curbing the number of asylum seekers arriving in Britain on small boats. However, the plan never came to fruition due to prolonged legal battles. Critics argued that the plan was both inhumane and ineffective, while supporters believed it would deter illegal immigration.

Starmer’s Stance

At his first press conference since becoming Prime Minister, Starmer explained his decision to scrap the policy, stating that it was impractical and would only affect about 1% of asylum seekers. “It would have failed to act as a deterrent,” Starmer emphasized, highlighting the need for more comprehensive and humane solutions to the issue of asylum seekers and immigration.

Moving Forward

Starmer promised that his government would make “tough decisions” to address the challenges facing the nation. His commitment to scrapping the Rwanda plan signals a significant shift in the UK’s approach to handling asylum seekers and suggests that the new administration will prioritize different strategies for managing immigration.

Political Implications

The decision to abandon the Rwanda plan marks a clear departure from the policies of the previous Conservative government. Starmer’s approach may also set the tone for future debates on immigration and asylum policies in the UK, potentially influencing public opinion and legislative actions.

As the UK navigates its post-election landscape, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s decisive action on the Rwanda plan underscores his commitment to enacting new policies and addressing the country’s pressing issues with fresh perspectives. The scrapping of the controversial plan is just the beginning of what promises to be a series of significant policy changes under Starmer’s leadership.

Concerns have surfaced regarding Rwanda’s commitment to its asylum seeker agreement with the UK. Critics highlight Rwanda’s previous actions, suggesting a pattern of transferring refugees to third countries despite initial agreements. This skepticism stems from a similar deal Rwanda had with Israel, where asylum seekers were reportedly relocated to Uganda against their will, raising doubts about Rwanda’s adherence to its promises.

Recent data reveals that out of the 5,700 individuals identified for relocation to Rwanda, only 2,143 remain in contact with the UK’s Home Office. This discrepancy has heightened concerns about the effectiveness of monitoring deported asylum seekers. Dan Sohege, director of the human rights group Stand for All, underscores that once asylum seekers are transferred to Rwanda, the UK’s capacity to oversee their treatment diminishes significantly.

Evidence from the UNHCR indicates that during a previous agreement with Israel, refugees were often moved to Uganda clandestinely, even when they were willing to stay in Rwanda. Reports suggest that upon arrival, many had their documents confiscated and were kept under guard before being smuggled out of Rwanda. Such practices have led to fears that the UK-Rwanda agreement might follow a similar trajectory.

The UK’s Supreme Court had previously raised concerns about Rwanda’s track record with asylum seekers, highlighting the risk of refoulement. Critics argue that despite assurances, the UK government lacks a robust mechanism to ensure the safety and proper treatment of asylum seekers once they are relocated to Rwanda. This has led to accusations that the UK is merely offloading its asylum responsibilities without adequate safeguards.

Furthermore, human rights advocates warn of potential forced military conscription for asylum seekers in Rwanda. Internal memos revealed in court have flagged this risk, adding another layer of complexity to the already contentious agreement. Despite these concerns, the UK government maintains its stance that Rwanda is a safe destination, citing Rwanda’s history of hosting refugees. However, critics argue that the evidence of past failures casts a long shadow over the current deal.

After an extensive two-year renovation, the iconic Amahoro Stadium is set to reopen on Monday, July 1. The state-of-the-art facility, now boasting a seating capacity of 45,000, underwent a significant facelift that commenced in mid-2022.

Originally planned for July 4 to coincide with the 30th anniversary of Rwandan Liberation Day, the inauguration ceremony was rescheduled to July 1 by the Ministry of Sports to avoid potential scheduling conflicts. This change ensures the smooth execution of the celebratory events.

President Paul Kagame previewed the revamped stadium on June 15, just hours before the first match between APR FC and Rayon Sports. This tour highlighted the government’s commitment to enhancing sports infrastructure in Rwanda.

The reopening ceremony will feature a friendly match between the 2023/24 Primus National League champions, APR FC, and Peace Cup winners, Police FC. This highly anticipated game will culminate with the presentation of the Amahoro Stadium Inauguration Trophy to the victor.

The upgraded Amahoro Stadium is expected to become a premier venue for both local and international events, showcasing Rwanda’s growing prominence in the world of sports.

The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has announced the cancellation of the 2024 Veteran Clubs World Championship (VCWC), which was set to take place from September 1st to 10th at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali. The decision follows the termination of RDB’s partnership with EasyGroup EXP, the event organizers, after a careful and mutual agreement.

The VCWC 2024 was expected to attract at least 150 football legends from around the globe, including renowned names like Ronaldinho Gaúcho (Brazil), George Weah (Liberia), Gaizka Mendieta (Spain), Robert Pires (France), and many others. The tournament was not just a football event; it was to be accompanied by five economic forums focusing on Peace, Education, Health, Business, and Tourism. There were also planned initiatives for Gender Equality and Green Action.

The cancellation of the tournament means that the planned economic forums and initiatives will no longer take place as part of the VCWC. These forums were intended to bring together experts and stakeholders to discuss critical global issues and explore collaborative solutions. The forums and initiatives aimed to leverage the global platform of the VCWC to promote sustainable development and social impact.

The event had also promised to broadcast at least 20 matches to a worldwide audience, offering fans a chance to see their football heroes in action once more. The cancellation will disappoint many fans who were looking forward to seeing retired stars such as Ronaldinho Gaúcho, Patrick Mboma (Cameroon), and Tsuneyasu Miyamoto (Japan) grace the field.

In addition to the main tournament, the VCWC Corporate Cup, an amateur competition for individuals under 35, was also planned. This event aimed to promote a healthy lifestyle and unity among participants from diverse backgrounds. Local teams were to pay $2500, while international teams were charged $5000, with each team having a legendary player attached. The cancellation affects these teams and participants who had anticipated the opportunity to compete and interact with football legends.