President Paul Kagame: poor governance, despite natural resources, the major problem in Africa

President Paul Kagame of Rwanda says the main problem facing Africa is lack of improvement of the lives of citizens by heads of state.

Kagame, who made the remark at a news conference in Kigali on Tuesday, dismissed concerns about African leaders who remain in power for longer than two terms.

“The main problem for Africa is poor governance, with citizens continuing to live in poverty despite the continent having a wealth of natural resources.

“A leader can leave power after a few years but leave the country in a mess. A leader can also serve many terms and be able to transform his or her country and the lives of the people‘’, Kagame said.

Kagame accused developed countries like the US of hypocrisy, saying that these countries are now saying “we should not listen to what our people want.”

In a referendum on Friday, more than 98 per cent of Rwandan voters approved amendment constitution allowing Kagame to run for up to three more terms.

Under the amendment, Kagame, who has dominated Rwandan politics since his rebel forces ended genocide against the Tutsi minority in 1994, can potentially stay in power until 2034.

The United States, a major donor to Rwanda, has asked Kagame to set an example to the region by stepping down at the end of his second term in 2017.