EAC bloc should use Rwanda polls to boost standing

Supporters of President Paul Kagame during a political rally. [Mark Oloo, Standard]

In the next one week, East Africa will witness another historic moment as Rwanda holds its general election.

The region will seek to demonstrate to the world that it can manage its destiny by conducting free and fair elections.

On the July 15 poll, President Paul Kagame will seek a fourth term. He became president in 2000 but was technically in charge from 1994 when his Rwanda Patriotic Army stopped the genocide.

Mr Kagame faces two other candidates, Dr Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party and Mr Philippe Mpayimana, an independent candidate. The country has 9.5 million registered voters. This will be the first time citizens will be voting for president alongside MPs.

Rwanda being part of the East African Community (EAC), Kenya and other members, have a huge stake in the July vote. It is a decisive political moment.

Failure to hold credible elections will by and large indict the region. The bloc will have failed to rise and be counted in the community of mature democracies.

Voters in East Africa long for the day when EAC will be as powerful and impactful like the European Union, the Arab League and other foreign formations.

We call on Rwandan poll officials, parties, candidates and supporters to keep the interests of their country and the region in mind. In the past, we've seen the consequences of bungled elections.

In 2007 and 2017, Kenya became a laughing stock after its election failed basic credibility tests. Uganda, DR Congo have suffered a similar fate.

Rwanda's case is particularly special. We must remember how far the country has come. Thirty years ago, it was almost swept away by ethnic killings. Today, it has every signs of a country ready for takeoff. Kigali's ability to attract significant Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) is impressive.

The landlocked nation, with a $13.31 billion GDP, targets more than $1.5 billion from FDIs annually. With a growing population, 70 per cent of whom are under 35, and now estimated 13 million and impressive predictions of economic growth, Rwanda is a darling of investors seeking new opportunities. Analysts say this has given Rwanda an economic edge over peers in the region.

Low domestic corruption and economic diversification remains the country's biggest strength. The economy is thriving. As Rwandans vote next week, they deserve support in whichever way. They have been bitter that the world abandoned them during the 1994 genocide.

Should Mr Kagame win again, his work is clearly cut out for him. He must make Rwanda a beacon of democracy. Kigali must also take a leading role in solving the conflict in DR Congo pitting Congolese forces against M23 and 200 other rebel groups.