Contrasting Election Campaigns in Rwanda

Rwanda’s Election Campaign Contrasts

The roads leading to a town in northern Rwanda were adorned with election posters of the long-standing president, Paul Kagame, creating a striking visual of his decades-long incumbency. The town buzzed with anticipation as businesses closed, and residents swept the streets in preparation for the president’s convoy, which was en route to a massive rally at a stadium decked out in the ruling party’s vibrant colors.

Tens of thousands of enthusiastic supporters, predominantly mobilized by party operatives, eagerly welcomed Mr. Kagame. The following day, his main challenger, Frank Habineza, arrived in the same town without fanfare. The absence of his party’s green, yellow, and white colors was conspicuous as only a handful of people, including his campaign workers, gathered under a modest tent to listen to him, closely monitored by security forces.

Byumba, a picturesque town with rolling valleys located 25 miles north of the capital, Kigali, showcased two contrasting faces of Rwanda during the election campaign. The upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections, scheduled for Monday, are perceived as a predetermined outcome by analysts and rights groups, despite numerous candidates registering for various seats. However, it is Mr. Kagame’s omnipresent image that dominates the landscapes of this hilly, landlocked nation of 14 million people.