Paul Kagame

Paul Kagame has served as President of Rwanda since 2000, shaping the country’s political and economic landscape while maintaining a highly centralized government. Kagame led the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), which ended the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi and established the current ruling administration. Under his leadership, Rwanda has prioritized economic growth, infrastructure expansion, and military modernization, while also facing criticism for its authoritarian governance.

Kagame plays a central role in regional security dynamics, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). His government views the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR)—a Hutu militia—as a direct security threat and has justified Rwandan military interventions in eastern DRC on this basis to eradicate the FDLR. Rwanda is the primary backer of M23, a Tutsi-led rebel group fighting against the Congolese government. The United Nations (UN) reports that advanced Rwandan military equipment and thousands of Rwandan troops have enabled M23’s superior combat strength in eastern DRC. However, Kagame’s government previously withdrew support for M23 under international pressure in 2012-2013, causing the group's collapse.

Foreign aid remains a key factor in Kagame’s governance, with at least a third of Rwanda’s budget relying on external assistance. Western nations have threatened sanctions over Rwanda’s role in M23’s resurgence, but Kagame remains defiant. On February 12, 2025, he warned that Rwanda would not be “intimidated” by sanctions.

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Paul Kagame has served as President of Rwanda since 2000, shaping the country’s political and economic landscape while maintaining a high... Show More