One person has died and dozens were injured during a crush at an election rally for Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame, officials report.
Campaigning for July’s general election commenced on Saturday, with Mr. Kagame hosting two rallies in northern Rwanda over the weekend.
The deadly crush occurred on Sunday in Rubavu district, where 37 people were injured, with four hospitalised for serious injuries, according to a statement from the Ministry of Local Government.
The ministry extended condolences to the deceased’s family and noted that on-site medical teams did “everything possible.”
President Kagame is seeking a fourth term, having led the country since his rebel group, the Rwanda Patriotic Front, took power in 1994 following the genocide against the Tutsi ethnic group.
He won the 2017 presidential election with nearly 99% of the vote. Despite criticism from rights groups regarding his crackdown on opposition, Kagame has staunchly defended Rwanda’s human rights record, asserting respect for political freedoms.
Following Sunday’s incident, the ministry urged campaign participants to adhere to safety instructions. President Kagame and the RPF Inkotanyi party have yet to comment on the tragedy.
However, on Monday morning, the RPF Inkotanyi shared a video on Facebook showing Kagame’s arrival at the rally, where supporters, dressed in party colours, were seen celebrating enthusiastically. The party claimed an attendance of around 250,000 people.
In the upcoming election, Kagame will compete against Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party and independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana.
Diane Rwigara, a vocal critic of Kagame, has been barred from the presidential race by the electoral commission, which cited her failure to provide necessary documentation and insufficient nationwide support. Rwigara, also disqualified in 2017, contends she has been unfairly excluded from campaigning.
Rwandans will vote on July 15 to elect their next president and lawmakers.
