Four small political parties have endorsed President Paul Kagame’s candidature in the 2024 election after the Rwandan leader declared his intention to run for a fourth term, backed by the ruling Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF).

The Ideal Democratic Party (PDI), Democratic Union of the Rwandan People’s Party (UDPR), Prosperity and Solidarity Party (PSP) and Rwandan Socialist Party (PSR), which are in a coalition with the ruling party, said they had confidence in Kagame to continue leading the nation.

“President Kagame puts the needs and interests of all Rwandans ahead of everything else, that is why we have confidence in him and have endorsed him as a candidate in next year’s election,” said Musa Fazil Harerimana, a senator and president of PDI, the party that led the calls for the constitution to be amended for Kagame to seek a third term.

He said PDI continues to support President Kagame because of his relentless pursuit of the unity of Rwandans, and the protection of the country’s sovereignty, development and democracy.