Rwanda's Kagame wins fourth term with 99% of vote

Rwandan President Paul Kagame was gearing up on July 16 for a fourth term after winning a thundering 99.15% of votes according to partial results from an election where only two challengers were allowed to run against him.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame was gearing up on July 16 for a fourth term after winning a thundering 99.15% of votes according to partial results from an election where only two challengers were allowed to run against him.

The outcome of the July 15 poll was never in doubt, with Mr. 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 Mr. Kagame had won 99.15% of the vote — even more than the 98.79% he got in the last poll seven years ago.

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