2017 Rwandan presidential election

A referendum in 2015 approved constitutional amendments that allow incumbent President Paul Kagame to run for a third term in office in 2017, as well as shortening presidential terms from seven to five years, although the latter change would not come into effect until 2024.^[2]

The President of Rwanda is elected in one round of voting by plurality.^[3]

Kagame announced that he would run for a third term in a televised address to mark the start of 2016, saying "You requested me to lead the country again after 2017. Given the importance and consideration you attach to this, I can only accept. But I don't think that what we need is an eternal leader."^[4]

In February 2017, Philippe Mpayimana announced his candidacy as an independent candidate. A former journalist and author, he had lived outside Rwanda since 1994 and worked with humanitarian organisations.^[5]

35-year-old businesswoman Diane Rwigara announced her candidacy, running as a critic of Kagame. Days after she launched her campaign, nude photos of Rwigara were leaked onto the Internet in an attempt to discredit her.^[6] On 7 July the National Electoral Commission disqualified Rwigara and two other candidates on technical grounds,^[7] alleging they had not collected enough valid signatures.^[8][9] The commission's decision was criticised by the US State Department and the European Union,^[10][11] while Amnesty International said that the election would be held in a "climate of fear and repression."^[12]

Democratic Green Party of Rwanda leader Frank Habineza also declared his candidacy.

Following his victory, Kagame was sworn in for his third presidential term on 18 August 2017.^[13]