Today is Election Day in Rwanda and we ask that you say a special prayer asking the Lord of all Creation to bless this nation with peace today and in the coming weeks as the results of the election pan out. Below are a few articles on the elections for further reading…
http://newtimes.co.rw/index.php?issue=14347&article=32324
Over 12, 000 dedicate prayers to elections – By Bosco R. Asiimwe
GASABO – Over 12,000 believers from various religious denominations in Kigali City yesterday thronged Amahoro National Stadium to pray for today’s Presidential elections to be peaceful.
The crusade which kicked off in the afternoon till sunset was dubbed “Rwanda is in your hands Lord.”
The event was mostly characterized by prayers by several pastors, testimonies and entertainment from local church choirs such as the renowned Rehoboth Ministries, Catholic Choir, Amahoro and Hosiana of ADEPR and Adventist church, and a special entertainment from The Sisters.
Pastor Antoine Rutayisire, the senior pastor of St. Etienne who observed that bad politics plunged the country into Genocide, urged all churches to wake up and play their role in changing the mindset of Rwandans.
“It’s now our (churches) time to pave the way for a better Rwanda. Rwanda is ours always. If we sleep, it will crumble down,” Rutayisire noted, calling on all Rwandans to love and always pray for their country.
He recalled the day of April 17, 1994 when he was among those who survived in the Stadium and said “Rwanda was destroyed by Rwandans who should join hands to rebuild it.”
Bishop Faustin Bashaka observed that Rwanda has made a tremendous step in development, especially in the last seven years. Economy, good governance, education, healthcare and decentralization are among the sectors, Bashaka said have developed.
“All these and the peace and security Rwandans are enjoying was a result of good leadership and such leaders need to be rewarded…but only the lord can,” he said.
Various clergymen and women prayed that Rwanda continues to be peaceful.
Charles Murigande, the Minister of Education, who presided over the event, commended the religions’ efforts to change Rwandans.
He commended them for their partnership with the government in creating a peaceful country and to partner in having a seven year term of peace and development.
The crusade organised in partnership with Kigali City was also attended by the city Mayor, Aisa Kirabo Kacyira and the Anglican church Archbishop, Emmanuel Kolini, among others.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-10908087
Polls open in Rwanda's presidential election
The BBC's Will Ross: "They're voting for President Kagame largely because of the security he has brought to the country"
Rwandans are voting to elect their president, with incumbent Paul Kagame expected to win by a landslide.
Mr Kagame's supporters say he has brought both stability and steady economic growth since the country's genocide in 1994.
His critics accuse him of suppressing opposition and undermining democracy.
This is only the second presidential election since 1994, and five million Rwandans are registered to vote.
Mr Kagame won the election in 2003 with 95% of the vote.
'No apologies'
Continue reading the main story
Analysis
Will Ross East Africa correspondent
President Kagame's posters are plastered right across the capital Kigali and also deep in the villages. You have to hunt very hard for any posters of the challengers.
It is clear that, for now, Mr Kagame is only willing to allow a certain degree of democracy. This he sees as the only way to keep the country stable after the horrors of 1994. He may have helped foster stability and steady economic growth but Mr Kagame's critics say a clampdown on the opposition and a general climate of oppression serve to keep him in power.
Mr Kagame faces three rivals in the election, all with links to the president's all-powerful Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF).
This has led some opponents to denounce the election as a charade.
But as he completed campaigning, Mr Kagame told critics among rights groups and the international community they should "not tell us how to shape our country".
He said of his RPF: "It is strong, it is organised, it has planned over a long time, historically it has been with the people to resolve challenging issues and therefore that results in a kind of overwhelming support. I have no regrets about it, I make no apologies."
Mr Kagame has held massive election rallies attended by tens of thousands of supporters.
His supporters say he has strengthened agricultural output, rebuilt the country's institutions, tackled corruption effectively and promoted women's rights and an environmentally friendly agenda.
His rivals have only managed much smaller rallies.
Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo, of the PSD, told supporters at one: "We see our policies as a continuation of those of the RPF."
Some more vocal opponents of Mr Kagame were prevented from fielding candidates and have complained of intimidation.
However, Electoral Commission spokesman Pacifique Nduwimana said that "everything went smoothly" during the campaign, with no incidents of violence.
Voting began promptly at 0600 local time (0400 GMT) and the polls will close at 1500 (1300 GMT).
The Electoral Commission has accredited 1,394 observers, 214 of them from abroad, including from the African Union and Commonwealth.







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