RWANDA: Rwandan President Paul Kagame tightened his grip on power yesterday, winning a landslide victory in Monday's controversial poll and drubbing his main rival, who promptly rejected the result. Declan Walsh reports from Kigali
Official results gave Mr Kagame, the former guerrilla leader who stopped the 1994 genocide, over 95 per cent of the vote compared with just 3.62 per cent for Hutu politician Mr Faustin Twagiramungu.
Describing the victory margin as "ridiculous", Mr Twagiramungu said it showed that Rwanda at the beginning of the 21st century was "an old communist country".
"They are trying to have a Stalinist-style one-party system. Almost 100 per cent? That's not possible," he told reporters yesterday. "I do not accept this election".
Mr Kagame started his celebrations at a 3 a.m. rally in a city stadium. The normally stern-faced leader pumped his fist as he told a cheering throng that his triumph was a sign that "Rwanda is on the right path".
"Our victory means that even our opponents should join us in building our country," he said.
Mr Kagame has dominated Rwandan politics continuously since his troops seized power nine years ago, ending the slaughter of over 500,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus.
Supporters said the election marked a peaceful milestone in the process of national reconciliation. Critics said it showed Mr Kagame prized political power over democratic principles.
The win was more remarkable for the fact that Mr Kagame is a Tutsi and 85 per cent of Rwandans are Hutu. "\ is proof that these communities have reconciled themselves after the genocide," said Jacques Hitimana, a 62-year-old Hutu.
But the shadow of genocide hung over the campaign.
Mr Twagiramungu officials were harassed, imprisoned and prevented from holding rallies. During polling, some supporters complained that Kagame officials told them how to vote.
Mr Kagame justified the draconian crackdown on his opponents because they were promoting ethnic "divisionism", a thinly veiled reference to fears of a second slaughter.