Rwanda confirms August 2017 presidential election date

Rwanda will stage presidential elections next August, according to a government statement issued Saturday.

Rwandans abroad will cast their votes on August 3, and those resident in Rwanda will follow suit on August 4, a communique in the local Kinyarwanda language said.

A constitutional amendment passed this year means that President Paul Kagame -- in charge since taking power at the head of a rebel army in 1994 -- is able to stand for re-election for another seven-year term.