Rwandan President Paul Kagame has today (Friday, August 18th 2017) been sworn in for a third term in office after winning country’s presidential election with a landslide victory early this month.
The ceremony which was attended by over 19 heads of state, was held at the Amahoro National Stadium in the capital Kigali.
Kagame took the oath, which was administered by chief Justice Prof Sam Rugege, who later handed to him the national symbols: Constitution, National Flag and National Emblem. President Kagame also received a sword from the Chief of Defence Staff of the Rwanda Defence Forces.
In inaugural address, Kagame thanked the people of Rwanda for supporting him and also expressed his gratitude to the Heads of State and other dignitaries that graced the event.
“Today is a day of celebration and a day to thank each of you. Today is a day of renewal and gratitude. I would therefore like to begin by thanking those who have joined us here. The presence of so many brothers & sisters from around Africa honours our nation deeply & gives us strength. We thank you. Africa has been with Rwanda when we needed you most,” said President Kagame
“Nothing gives our people greater pride than contributing together with you to the greatness of our continent. Standing alongside us are friends of Rwanda who have always kept our country in their hearts & worked hard to advance it,” he further said.
Among the Heads of State attending the ceremony was Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, Central Africa Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, Senegalese President Macky Sall, Former Tanzania president Benjamin Mkapa, President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger and Sudanese President Omar El Bashir, to mention but a few.
Kagame who won the August 4th Presidential election by a comfortable 98.6 per cent, will be Rwanda’s Head of State for next 7 years.
