Kigali: President Kagame on Thursday told thousands of people at Amahoro National Stadium that the aim of the liberation struggle was to build a Rwanda with equal rights for all.
Over 25 thousand Rwandans and friends of Rwanda gathered at Amahoro National Stadium at a colourful ceremony to celebrate the 25thanniversary of Rwanda’s liberation, marking the day the Rwandan Patriotic Army stopped the Genocide against the Tutsi.
“For three long months in 1994, our country’s survival was in doubt. A segment of the population was being hunted. More than a million people were murdered. By July 4th, our forces had brought the killing to an end. Where did the humanity and heroism come from? The answer is simple. We believed in our right to dignity as Rwandans. This conviction was the starting point of the liberation struggle. The aim was to build a Rwanda with equal rights for all. In other words, a republic, in the real sense” President Kagame said.
President Kagame further emphasised that the oppression against part of Rwandans made the liberation fight unavoidable but Rwandans have left the history behind and will not loose way again.
“Had we ever truly been united, at any point in our history? And yet our culture provides us with the tools for a successful society. Liberation was not about restoring the past, but creating something fundamentally new and better, for all Rwandans. This fight was necessary and indeed unavoidable. We left the past behind us and embraced the future by coming together as a family. We must remain solid in defence of these values through each and every generation. We will not lose our way again.” President Kagame said.
President Kagame further hailed Rwandans’ courage thanks to which the seemingly impossible became manageable and called on Rwandans to protect the gains, remain humble and strive to achieve more.
“For the last twenty-five years, we have done our best to govern according to the liberation ideals that we fought for. The conduct of our forces is one example. Another is the bravery of those within Rwanda who opposed divisive politics. Or the energy that our people give every day to transforming the nation as we have seen in the past 25 years. As a result, the impossible has become manageable, and even natural. Achievements like restoring trust and peace, or working together, for example. But we cannot take anything for granted. The logic of liberation is to turn bad things into good things. What Rwandans have achieved is undeniably real. But we must stay humble enough to know that our main challenge is sustainability” President Kagame said.
At Kwibohora25 ceremony President Kagame inspected a military parade. The national ballet “urukerereza” together with a number of artists entertained the public while delivering messages about Rwanda’s liberation gains.
Among the distinguished guests who joined Rwandans for Kwibuka25 celebrations include the Heads of State of Central Africa Republic, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Togo, Sierra Leone, Botswana, Nigeria, as well as Vice president of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prime Minister of Tanzania, Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda and the Secretary General of Francophoine, in addition to several ministerial delegations from different countries.
Held under the theme “Together We Prosper,” this year’s celebration is an opportunity to recommit to Rwanda’s vision for a peaceful, united, prosperous and self-reliant nation. (Fin)