Rwanda Court Scraps Presidential Term Limits

“All depends on the opinions of the people”, the Supreme Court said in its ruling.

By throwing this case out, the court now joins parliamentarians, other institutions and over three million Rwandese who are said to have backed the proposal to amend the Constitution to allow Kagame to run for a third term in the 2017 presidential election.

Despite some few citizens opposing the constitutional amendment, there is a growing desire to amend article 101 of the constitution to lift the term limits and pave way for President Paul Kagame’s third term bid.

Today Rwanda’s Supreme Court dismissed the application meant to prevent the president from extending his time in office beyond two terms.

Party president Frank Habineza told reporters after the ruling, “We expected a win but the court has disappointed us”.

Spokesman John Kirby said “We do not support those in positions of power changing constitutions exclusively for their political self-interest”.

Kagame has not said explicitly that he wants to run again but has made clear he is open to persuasion.

Former rebel leader Kagame won global and domestic praise for rebuilding Rwanda after the genocide, in which 800,000 people, majority Tutsis and moderate Hutus, were massacred.

In Burundi, President Pierre Nkurunziza triggered weeks of violent protests and a failed coup attempt by running for a third term. Changing the Constitution will not only undermine the democratic process but also the peaceful transfer of power.

MPs agreed to change the constitution in July and to hold a national referendum on the issue.