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Rwandans campaign for president's 3rd term

Xinhua, May 10, 2015 Adjust font size:

Rwandans have embarked on a campaign to amend Article 101 of Rwanda Constitution that provides the presidential term limit.

Many Rwandan citizens have started a drive that sees people endorse their signatures meant to change the article and allow President Paul Kagame stand for another term in office in 2017 presidential polls.

Article 193 of the Rwandan constitution provides the possibility of the amendment of Article 101.

Speaking to Xinhua on Sunday, Innocent Hitiyaremye, a bus driver in the Capital Kigali anxiously said that Kagame is still his best choice and he looks forward to see him standing again for presidency in 2017.

"His style of leadership has transformed our country for the better both socially and economically. Our country has reached at a critical stage where Kagame is needed most to drive the nation to greater heights," he said.

"I wish the constitution changes and President Kagame lead us in another term to continue the legacy of transforming our country into a middle income economy."

Supporters of third term for Kagame claim that they are still confident about Kagame's wise and sound leadership and demands for the amendment of Rwandan constitution to allow him run in 2017 presidential elections.

Kagame came to power in 2000 after the ruling party Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) overthrew the extremist Hutu government behind the 1994 genocide.

He won elections in 2003 and 2010 with overwhelming majorities.

On Friday hundreds of citizens from the country's Northern Province stormed the Rwandan parliament seeking the amendment of the constitution to allow Kagame for a third term in office.

Agnes Uwamahoro, a fruit vendor in Kimironko market in the Kigali City suburbs said that she supports Kagame to run for another term and she has participated in a campaign to amend the constitution.

"We are the ones who drafted the constitution and we have the right to change it. If Kagame doesn't stand again in 2017, I think I will leave Rwanda for another country," she said.

Various political parties like The Party for Progress and Concord, PS imberakuri, Party liberal among others have publically called for the amendment of the constitution to allow Kagame for another term in office.

While addressing a press conference last month, Kagame said that he is not interested in third term in office and will respect the constitution or what Rwandans will decide in the interest of continued progress and stability in the country after 2017. Endi