Roth, a former executive director of Human Rights Watch (HRW), had claimed that if President Paul Kagame was re-elected with 99 percent of the vote it would be a mockery of the electoral process.
"Doesn't Rwanda's Paul Kagame realize that when he "wins" an "election" with some 99 percent of the vote, he mocks the whole process, making everyone realize he wanted a charade because he wouldn't risk a real election," the activist posted on X as Rwandans in the diaspora exercised their civic duty on July 14.
In a swift response, Makolo told the former head of the Human Rights Watch organization to stop meddling in Rwandan affairs.
"What process, whose process? People like Ken Roth need to get over the fact that they can never teach us how to live. Ever. Rwanda belongs to Rwandans. There's a process in Ken's country that needs serious attention - maybe focus on that?" Makolo stated in an apparent reference to the ongoing intense presidential election campaigns in the United States pitting President Joe Biden and former Head of State Donald Trump.
Rwandans in the diaspora went to the polls on Sunday to elect their president and members of parliament, while locals cast their votes on Monday.
Partial results announced by National Electoral Commission chairperson Oda Gasinzigwa on Monday night showed that Kagame of the RPF Inkotanyi party was on course to secure a landslide victory with 99.15 percent of the votes cast. His closest challenger, Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, managed a mere 0.53 percent of the votes, while independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana got 0.32 percent.
Kagame had, during the campaign period, urged foreigners to respect Rwandans' right to exercise their democracy by electing leaders of their choice.
Addressing a campaign rally in Muhanga District on June 24, 2024, the incumbent took issue with foreigners who claim there is no democracy in Rwanda, based on the fact that in 2003, 2010, and 2017 he was elected with nearly 100% of the votes. He explained that often in their countries, voter turnout is low.
He stated, 'There are those who do not understand us, who do not understand Rwanda, but gradually, actions will speak to them. As we said before, 100%â€"some do not understand that 100% is democracy. How is 100% possible? They claim there is no democracy. I asked someone the other day, 'Those governed by 15%, and those who voted are around 30% or 40% of those eligibleâ€"is that democracy? How so?''
The RPF candidate emphasized that elections in Rwanda are solely the concern of Rwandans, as they are the ones who choose their leaders to guide them in building their nation. He urged foreign critics of Rwanda's electoral process to address issues within their own countries instead of focusing on Rwandan elections.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
