Rwanda’s ruling party on Saturday picked President Paul Kagame as its flag-bearer in a presidential election slated to take place in July, potentially extending his stay in power to around 30 years.
Kagame, 66, has led his small central African country since 2000.
He is a former soldier.
The ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) held an extraordinary congress in the capital Kigali on Saturday to choose its candidates in the July 15 presidential and parliamentary polls.
The RPF also discussed its manifesto for 2017-2014 on which its candidates will campaign.
In his acceptance speech as the party’s presidential candidate, Kagame said “the burden of responsibility to lead our country can be equated to a shock absorber against the challenges we face daily”.
“It requires the right mindset,” he added.
Kagame is widely expected to face Frank Habineza from the Green Party and other opposition candidates in this year’s election.
Rwanda’s constitution limits a president to two terms but the country approved a referendum in 2015, allowing Kagame to run for an additional seven-year term and then two-five year terms.
That means he could potentially stay in office until 2034.
