Heads of State during President Kagame's inauguration ceremony at Amahoro Stadium on Sunday, August 11. Photo by Dan Gatsinzi
All roads led to Amahoro Stadium, where President Paul Kagame will be sworn in as President of Rwanda, on Sunday, August 11, in a colourful ceremony attended by more than 20 Heads of State and Government from Africa.
Kagame, who won the July election with 99 per cent of the votes, will be sworn in for a five-year term.
Thousands of Rwandans gathered at the 45,000-seat Amahoro Stadium to witness the event on Sunday afternoon.
In attendance at the national stadium were the Heads of State and Government, senior government officials representing their respective countries and heads of international organisations among others.
The dignitaries included King Muswati III of Eswatini, Presidents Salva Kiir of South Sudan, who is also the Chairperson of the East African Community, Andry Rajoelina of Madagascar, Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan of Sudan, and Wavel Ramkalawan of Seychelles.
Also at the event was President William Ruto of Kenya, João Lourenço of Angola, Denis Sassou N’guesso of the Republic of Congo, and Gen Mamady Doumbouya of Guinea and Gen Clotaire Oligui Nguema of Gabon.
Heads of State during President Kagame's inauguration ceremony at Amahoro Stadium on Sunday, August 11. Photo by Dan Gatsinzi
Presidents Faustin-Archange Touadéra of the Central African Republic, Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique, and Sahle-Work Zewde of Ethiopia, Ismaïl Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, Hassan Cheikh Mohamoud of Somalia.
Other dignitaries include Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana, Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinee-Bissau, and Faure Gnassingbé of Togo.
There is also Vice President Jessica Alupo of Uganda, Vice President Tiemoko Meyliet Koné of Ivory Coast, and Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada of São Tomé and Príncipe.
Also in attendance was former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, Morocco’s president of the Supreme Council for Education and Scientific Research Habibi El Malki.
The African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat alongside La Francophonie Secretary General Louise Mushikiwabo also attended President Paul Kagame’s swearing-in ceremony, among others.
The inauguration of President Kagame at Amahoro Stadium on Sunday, August 11
Dr. Mokgweetsi E.K Masisi, President of Botswana speaks to Minister Sabin Nsanzimana as he arrived in Rwanda for the inauguration ceremony of President Paul Kagame.
Ismail Omar Guelleh, President of Djibouti is welcomed by Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente at the airport for attending President Kagame's inauguration Ceremony on Sunday August 11 at Amahoro Stadium. Courtesy
João Lourenço, President of Angola, jets in Rwanda to attend the inauguration.
Denis Sassou-N'Guesso, President of the Republic of Congo arrives at Kigali International Airport
The President of Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina is in Rwanda to attend President Kagame's Inauguration
Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi interacts with Minister of Health Dr Sabin Nsanzimana, on his arrival in Rwanda on Sunday.
President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, jets in Rwanda to attend the Presidential Inauguration on August 11
William Samoei Ruto, President of Kenya on his arrival at Kigali International Airport on Sunday, August 11, for attending President Kagame's inauguration.
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan arrives at Kigali International Airport on Sunday, August 11. President Suluhu is among Heads of State who are attending President Kagame's inauguration at Amahoro Stadium on Sunday. Courtesy
Sahle-Work Zewde, President of Ethiopia jets in Rwanda to attend President Kagame's Inauguration on Sunday, August 11.
Lt Gen Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan Abdelrahman, President of Sudan TSC welcomed by Minister of Health Dr Sabin Nsanzimana on his arrival at Kigali International Stadium on Sunday, August 11.
King Mswati III of Eswatini arrives at Kigali International Airport ahead of President Paul Kagame’s inauguration. Photos by Steven Mugenzi/ RBA
Malawi Vice President, Dr Michael Usi on his arrival at Kigali International Airport on Saturday evening
Jessica Alupo, Vice President of Uganda on her arrival at Gatuna One Stop Border Post. Alupo was welcomed by Minister Claudine Uwera.
President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo arrives at Kigali International Airport on Saturday, August 10, ahead of President Kagame's inauguration on Sunday at Amahoro Stadium. Photos by Steven Mugenzi/ RBA
President of Central African Republic Faustin-Archange Touadéra welcomed by State Minister for Education Claudette Irere.
Ghana President, Nana Akufo-Addo welcomed by Minister of Finance Yusuf Murangwa at Kigali International Airport.
South Sudan President Salva Kiir, greets Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in Charge of Regional Cooperation Gen (Rtd) James Kabarebe on his arrival at Kigali International Airport on Saturday. Courtesy
Gen. Umaro Sissoco Embalo, President of Guinea Bissau was welcomed by Minister of Finance Yusuf Murangwa at the airport.
Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of Zimbabwe arrives at Kigali International Airport to attend President Kagame's inauguration. Photos by Steven Mugenzi/ RBA
Prime Minister of Senegal Ousmane Sonko arrives at Kigali International Airport on Saturday, August 10
Minister of State for Education Claudette Irere welcomes Ivory Coast Vice President, Tiemoko Meyliet Koné at Kigali International Airport
President of Gabon, Brice Oligui Nguema interacts with Minister of Foreign Affairs Olivier Nduhungirehe on his arrival at Kigali International Airport.
São Tomé and Príncipe Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada speaks to Yusuf Murangwa, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning in Kigali to attend the inauguration of President Paul Kagame.
General Mamadi Doumbouya, President of Guinea welcomed by Minister of Interior Vincent Biruta at Kigali International Airport.