Stampede at Paul Kagame's reelection rally leads to one fatality

One person has died and 37 others were injured in a stampede at an election rally for Rwanda's long-time President Paul Kagame in Rubavu district, western Rwanda. The incident occurred as attendees pushed to get closer to Kagame as he was leaving the event. Four of the injured individuals are in serious condition, according to local government officials. Kagame, who has been in power since 1994, is expected to win reelection in the upcoming July 15 election, having secured nearly 99% of the vote in the last election. His opponents in this election include Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party and independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana. Campaigning for the election began on Saturday, with Kagame holding rallies in northern Rwanda over the weekend. The crush at the rally on Sunday has drawn attention to the crowded and boisterous nature of Kagame's campaign events, in contrast to the smaller gatherings of his opponents, highlighting the perception among Rwandans that Kagame is unbeatable. Kagame's RPF-Inkotanyi party expressed deep sadness over the incident and extended condolences to the victim's family, pledging to closely monitor those injured. Kagame, who took power after his forces halted the genocide in 1994, has faced criticism for his crackdown on the opposition, although he has defended Rwanda's human rights record. The upcoming election will see Kagame vying for a fourth term against Habineza and Mpayimana, while prominent critic Diane Rwigara has been barred from running. Rwandans are set to cast their votes on July 15 to elect their next president and lawmakers, amidst a political landscape where Kagame's dominance is perceived as unchallenged by many.