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| From left to right: John Magufuli (Tanzania), Pierre Nkurunziza (Burundi) and Paul Kagame (Rwanda) |
By Daniel
Mumbere
Rwanda’s
president, Paul Kagame, on Thursday reiterated his commitment to walk away from
the presidency when the current term he is serving expires in 2024.
Similar commitments by Burundi’s president Pierre
Nkurunziza, Tanzania’s John Pombe Magufuli and Kenya’s Uhuru Kenyatta have
ignited debate in the East African region on the politics of long-serving
presidents.
Kagame and Uganda’s president Yoweri Museveni are
among the continent’s longest serving presidents, having been in office for 20
years and 34 years respectively.
Kagame, who was reportedly addressing the 17th
Annual National Dialogue said he was not interested in seeking a fourth term,
adding that he wished to be replaced by a female president.
‘‘My wish is that one day, a woman takes up this
position that you gave me,’‘ Kagame told delegates.
The 62-year old had earlier told a summit in Doha,
Qatar that he is not likely to run for office in 2024.
Earlier this month, Tanzania’s Magufuli pledged to
respect the constitution that stipulates a two-five years-term limit for the office of
president.
‘‘I have been insisting that I will respect the
constitution and laws governing the country after completing my term in
office,’‘ Magufuli said while launching a water project in the Geita region.
Magufuli said he is determined to discourage
Tanzanians from harbouring such thoughts, arguing that all 55 million
Tanzanians have the ability to lead the country, with the help of God.
Burundi’s Nkurunziza also restated his position on
seeking another term in office, saying he will not contest next year’s
elections.
The 55-year old told journalists he would hold
another press conference “before handing power to our successor’‘, having also
told security forces that it was the last time he would give them his holiday
wishes as Burundi’s leader.
His insistence on running again in 2015 led to
deadly political turmoil and allegations by human rights groups of widespread
abuses.
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