East African Community (EAC) Heads of State led by Kenya's William Ruto and Samia Suluhu of Tanzania joined other African leaders on Wednesday to extend their felicitations to Kagame.
President Ruto said he wishes Kagame success as he continues to steer Rwanda in the "path of peace, stability and posterity".
"On behalf of the people and Government of Kenya, I have the pleasure to convey warmest congratulations upon your re-election to serve a further term as President of the Republic of Rwanda," President Ruto stated in a post on X.
"We celebrate with you the sovereign choice of the people of Rwanda and wish you success as you continue steering your country in the path of peace, stability and posterity."
President Ruto committed to enriching existing ties between Kenya and Rwanda and strengthening regional cooperation.
"I look forward to continuing working with you in regional and Pan-African affairs in strengthening the bonds of solidarity and fraternity between the peoples of Kenya and Rwanda."
Similarly, President Suluhu has also pledged to continue partnering with Kagame to foster ties between the two countries.
"On behalf of the Government and the People of the United Republic of Tanzania, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to His Excellency Paul Kagame, on being re-elected as the President of the Republic of Rwanda. I look forward to continue working with you in fostering the relations between our two countries and in the pursuit of East Africa's unity and prosperity," she stated.
Filipe Nyusi, the President of Mozambique, also extended best wishes to Kagame, saying, "Wishing you the best of luck as you assume the new mandate and responsibility entrusted to you by the People of Rwanda."
Guinea Bissau's Umaro Sissoco Embaló wrote, "On behalf of Guinea-Bissau, congratulations President Paul Kagame on your resounding re-election! I wish you a new term filled with peace, prosperity, and progress."
Kagame on course for landslide victory
In partial results announced on Monday, 15, 2024, Kagame is leading with 99.15 percent of the votes cast. Dr. Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, so far has 0.53 percent of the votes, while independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana is trailing with 0.32 percent.
At the time of the announcement of the results, Kagame had garnered 7,099,810 votes, Habineza had received 38,301 votes, and Mpayimana had obtained 22,753 votes at the national level.
The total number of votes tallied was 7,160,864, which represents 78.94 percent of the votes cast locally and in the diaspora.
The NEC will announce provisional results by July 20, with final results expected not later than July 27, 2024.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
