Rwanda President Paul Kagame took the oath of office at the Amahoro Stadium in the capital city of Kigali on Friday in the presence of dignitaries from other African countries including newly-elected Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Kagame, who swept to a landslide victory in Rwanda’s presidential election, securing a third term in office and extending his 17 years in power, arrived at the stadium accompanied by the First Lady, Jeannette Kagame.

The 59-year-old former guerrilla leader had secured 98.8 percent of vote in the election on August 4.

Kagame has won international praise for presiding over a peaceful and rapid economic recovery in Rwanda since the 1994 genocide, when an estimated 800,000 people Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed.

But he has also faced mounting criticism for what human rights groups say are widespread abuses, a muzzling of independent media, and suppression of political opposition.

Also among those present was Nigeria’s Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.