Rwandans think Obama has edge over Romney

Many Rwandans believe that US President Barrack Obama will convincingly win a second term in office in today’s presidential elections being decided by millions of American voters.According to several Rwandans interviewed by The New Times, America’s first black president has done enough domestically and internationally in his first four years in office to win the voters’ hearts.They however emphasise that regardless of who takes office between Obama and his republic opponent, Mitt Romney, US’s foreign policy will most likely remain unchanged.“I think Barrack Obama stands head over shoulders against Mitt Romney and has a higher chance of taking office for a second term. He had delivered quite impressively on both the economic and political ends of his country and this is sound proof to deserve a second term,” Charles Kabwete, the Head of Department, Political and Administrative Science, at the National University of Rwanda said.“Mitt Romney on the other hand, hasn’t given enough reason for change to the voters. So, the question on many American minds is- do we really need change now? And in my opinion, the answer is no.”Sheikh Umar Khalifan, a don at the National University of Rwanda believes that it is hard to ignore the US presidential race considering its effect on world affairs.“The US elections mean a lot not just to the American people but to the rest of the world because it’s a super power with a lot of influence on global affairs. Both candidates are strong and divide opinion, although Obama has a slight edge over Romney,” Sheikh Umar said.“He took on a country that was involved in wars and has tried to get the troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan; and this is typical of democrats who are usually peace lovers compared to their republican mates. For the sake of world peace, I fancy Obama to win.”Sheikh Umar however recognized that Obama’s undoing could be his failure to return the American economy to prosperity.“Under Obama’s reign, USA has fallen further into debt from US$11 trillion to almost US$17 trillion; this has not been taken well by some Americans and I think it could be Romney’s big upper hand. Either way, whoever wins the elections, I don’t expect America’s foreign, especially on Africa to change that much.”Senator Therese Bishagara also fancies Obama, although she concedes that although Romney wins, US relations with Rwanda will remain strong.The US and Rwanda collaborate in many areas and have a terrific understanding; I believe that whoever comes into power, whether Obama or Romney, the relationship will remain strong. Both candidates are strong, although Obama could be elected again, mainly because he performed well domestically by creating more jobs and globally by improving international security,” she said.Herbert Muhire, a Communications Consultant at Rwanda Development Board, stated his support for Obama, adding that opinion polls conducted before today’s big events were all in favor of the incumbent president.“I have closely followed US elections and I believe that Obama will be re-elected. Opinion polls show it, but also his track record provides all necessary answers to any doubting Thomas. Unemployment has gone down, the economy is resurrecting and on foreign policy, its diplomacy reigning and not wars,” Muhire said.“Republicans’ history on the other hand is not very good on all fronts. I am also happy that immigration laws have been made less strict under his tenure.”The US embassy in Rwanda started screening live voting sessions this morning at 5AM at its premises in Kacyiru.