In a sweeping victory, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda has secured his re-election as the country's leader with over 99% of the vote, breaking his own record from the previous election. Full provisional results reveal that the 66-year-old leader attained an overwhelming majority in Monday's elections.

Having won the 2017 election with 98.63% of the vote, surpassing his previous scores of 93% in 2010 and 95% in 2003, President Kagame solidifies his position as a dominant force in Rwandan politics. However, critics argue that such thundering majorities come as no surprise, as they view him as ruling with an iron hand.

Despite the skepticism, supporters of President Kagame argue that his exceptional electoral results reflect his immense popularity among the Rwandan population. Under his leadership, Rwanda has achieved stability and experienced notable economic growth.

President Kagame, a former rebel commander, led his forces to power in 1994, putting an end to a devastating genocide that claimed the lives of approximately 800,000 people in just 100 days.

Criticism has been raised regarding the fairness of the elections, as several presidential aspirants, including the president's most vocal critics, were barred from contesting by the electoral commission. Ultimately, their combined vote in this election ended up being worse than in 2017, falling below the 1% mark.

Notably, voter turnout for the elections was remarkably high, standing at 98%, according to the electoral commission. Human rights groups such as Human Rights Watch have voiced concern over the limited political space for opposition in Rwanda, linking President Kagame's overwhelming victory to the suppression of legitimate opposition activities.

However, President Kagame's re-election has received praise from neighboring Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni, who considers it a testament to the trust and confidence Rwandans have in his leadership.

Despite grappling with high rates of youth unemployment, Rwanda's economy continues to demonstrate rapid growth, making it one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa. President Kagame, during his campaign, emphasized his commitment to protecting Rwanda from external aggression amidst ongoing tensions with neighboring countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi.

The re-election of President Paul Kagame marks another chapter in Rwandan politics, highlighting both the admiration and criticism surrounding his leadership. As the results solidify, the focus now shifts to how this election outcome will shape the future political landscape of Rwanda.