Xi congratulates Kagame on re-election as Rwandan president

Incumbent Rwandan President Paul Kagame gestures as he arrives to cast his vote at a polling station in Kigali, on August 4, 2017. Rwandans began voting on August 4 in a presidential election widely expected to return strongman Paul Kagame to office for a third term at the helm of the small east African nation. / AFP PHOTO / MARCO LONGARI

President Xi Jinping of China on Tuesday congratulated his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, on his re-election.

“I attach great importance to China-Rwanda relations, and am willing to make efforts with you to promote China-Rwanda friendly cooperation toward achievement of more successes in the interest of the two countries.

“To keep elevating the level of China-Rwanda relations,’’ Xi said in the message.

Kagame was re-elected overwhelmingly on Saturday in the presidential elections.

Presidential elections held in Rwanda on Aug. 4, and the incumbent President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, was re-elected with 99 per cent of the vote.

A referendum in 2015 approved constitutional amendments that allow Kagame to run for a third term in office in 2017, as well as shortening presidential terms from seven to five years.

Join Our Channels