I was forced to accept third term, says Kagame

President Paul Kagame of Rwanda has claimed that pressure from his people made him extend his term in office.

Rwanda’s constitution had to be amended to enable Kagame run for a third term, but speaking at the World Economic Forum on Africa holding in Kigali, the country’s capital, Kagame said he was aware that changing the constitution to allow him to run again would draw international criticism but had little say in the matter.

The changes, which technically allow Kagame to stay until 2034, were approved in a December referendum by a 98 percent majority.

“By the way, I didn’t ask for this thing,” Reuters quoted him as saying.

“I was actually trying to tell my people: ‘You know what, there’s room – can’t you find someone else? You need to take a risk and look for someone else..

“And they kept saying ‘No. We are not ready to take risks. We want you to stay.’ I said, ‘But I’m having difficulties staying.'”

Kagame took office in 2000 after his predecessor, Pasteur Bizimungu, resigned.

He previously commanded the rebel force that ended the 1994 genocide. He was considered Rwanda’s de facto leader when he served as vice-president and minister of defence between 1994 and 2000.