The reelection rally for Rwanda’s long-standing President Paul Kagame turned tragic as a stampede broke out, resulting in the death of one person and injuries to 37 others, officials reported on Monday.
The incident occurred on Sunday in Rubavu, a remote area in western Rwanda, when attendees surged forward in an attempt to get closer to Kagame as he was leaving the event. Authorities stated on Monday that four of those injured were in critical condition.
Kagame, who has effectively been in power as the president of Rwanda since 1994, is widely anticipated to secure another victory in the upcoming election scheduled for July 15. During the last election, he garnered nearly 99% of the vote.
Following the tragic event in Rubavu, Kagame’s RPF-Inkotanyi party expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life. Official campaigning began on Saturday and is set to conclude on July 13. Kagame’s main opponents in the election are the long-time opposition figure Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana, the same opponents he faced in 2017.
Kagame’s campaign events are typically lively and well-attended, with supporters coming from various parts of the country. On the other hand, his opponents’ campaign events are typically less attended, highlighting the widespread belief among Rwandans that Kagame is unbeatable.
Kagame rose to power after his forces intervened to halt the genocide, during which an estimated 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed by Hutu extremists in 100 days.
Critics have accused the government of instilling a climate of fear that discourages open and free discussion of national issues and of pursuing opponents, resulting in their fleeing, imprisonment, disappearance, and even death under mysterious circumstances.