RUSAGARA MUVUNANKIKO Valens
President Paul Kagame has called on Rwandans, especially young people, to continue building a peaceful, united and prosperous nation, saying that the journey of liberation did not end in 1994 but must continue with every generation.
Speaking on Saturday during the 32nd anniversary of Rwanda’s Liberation Day, President Kagame said every Rwandan has a responsibility to protect the country’s achievements and contribute to its future.
He stressed that peace, unity and development should remain at the heart of Rwanda’s progress.
“It is our responsibility to ensure that every Rwandan can live in peace and prosper in their own country. That is why liberation will never be finished; it will continue to evolve with time.” He said.
Addressing the country’s youth, Kagame encouraged them to embrace their role in shaping Rwanda’s future, saying the opportunities ahead depend on the choices they make today. He urged them to reject division and work together for the common good.
“The future we deserve lies ahead of us. If we continue to build unity, reject all forms of division, and put our energy into building our nation together, nothing will be beyond our reach.”
The President also underlined that national security remains the foundation of Rwanda’s development. He said protecting the country is not about seeking approval from others, but about ensuring that Rwandans can live safely and continue improving their lives.
“Our security is about our very existence. We do not seek it to earn praise from others. Without security, nothing else would be possible.”
Kagame warned that the dangerous ideologies that once led to tragedy have not disappeared completely. He said such ideas continue to exist in different forms across the region and should never be ignored or treated lightly.
“However, these harmful ideas have not completely disappeared. They still exist in different forms and continue to be seen across our region. We have witnessed too much and suffered enough that we can never again treat such ideologies as something insignificant.”
The Head of State also paid tribute to the soldiers of the former Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA), praising their courage and sacrifice in the struggle to liberate the country. He noted that while many of them did not live to see today’s Rwanda, the nation they fought for continues to reflect their vision and commitment.
“I thank the soldiers of the RPA for the courage and dedication that changed the history of our country. Many of them did not live to see this day, but what they fought for is visible in the Rwanda we see today.”
Rwanda marks Liberation Day every year on July 4 to commemorate the end of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and the liberation of the country by the Rwanda Patriotic Army. The day celebrates the restoration of peace, national unity, security and the country’s continued journey toward sustainable development.
