Rwandan presidential election, 2010
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Presidential elections were held in Rwanda on 9 August 2010, the second since the Rwandan Civil War. Incumbent President Paul Kagame of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) was re-elected for a second term.
Paul Kagame, leader of the RPF, had been President since 2000 and de facto leader since 1994, following his forces' victory over the interim government at the end of the Rwandan Genocide. A new constitution was approved by a referendum in 2003, mandating a seven-year presidential term of office.Presidential elections were held shortly after the referendum and the promulgation of the constitution, which were won by Kagame. Having served one term, Kagame was entitled to serve for one further term and sought re-election in 2010.
During Kagame's first term, Rwanda experienced high growth rates and a rise in infrastructure and international investment and tourism. However, he was criticised by some opposition figures and human rights groups for suppressing dissent in the period leading up to the elections.
The election campaign began publicly in January 2010 when Victoire Ingabire, a Hutu who had been living abroad for some years, returned to Rwanda and announced her candidacy. Ingabire caused some controversy following her arrival with comments relating to the genocide. The government accused her of breaking the country's strict laws regarding genocide denial, resulting in her arrest in April 2010. She was released on bail, but was prohibited from running in the elections.
In May, Kagame was officially endorsed as the RPF's candidate at the party's national congress. Kagame then became the first candidate to be accepted when he presented his electoral papers in July. The next candidate to register was Vice-President of the Chamber of Deputies and former Minister of Health Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo, who won the nomination for the Social Democratic Party on 22 May. In June, the Liberal Party named its candidate, with Vice-President of the Senate and former Minister of Commerce Prosper Higiro defeating Stephanie Mukantagara for the nomination after the latter pulled out of the race at the last minute. The final candidate to successfully register was Senator Alvera Mukabaramba of the Party for Progress and Concord.
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