US to Rwanda's Kagame: Respect Term Limits, Leave in 2017

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The Obama administration is telling Rwanda's leader, one of America's closest allies in Africa, not to consider a third term as president.

State Department Mark Toner says the U.S. is greatly concerned after Rwanda's Senate voted Tuesday to proceed with a constitutional referendum that could allow Kagame (keh-GAH'-may) to extend his presidency. His current term expires in 2017.

Kagame, who has led Rwanda since 2000, said Tuesday on Twitter that if he ran again, it would be to improve the well-being of his country's citizens.

Instead, Toner urged Kagame to follow through on his previous commitments to "foster a new generation of leaders."

Toner said the U.S. wants leaders everywhere to respect term limits set by their constitutions.

Source: ABC

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