President Paul Kagame has said Rwanda’s determination to build an independent country should not be compromised saying, “We also recognize we can guarantee our independence better with cooperation based on mutual benefit”.
“For many years our people were taught and made to believe lies and myths manufactured from within and outside distorting what we were, who we should be and what we should do for the health development of Africa and Rwanda in particular.”
The Head of state was speaking to tens of thousands attending the 50th Independence anniversary and 18th Liberation celebrations at Amahoro National Stadium in Kigali.
The weather has been great, with clear skies and sun shine. The President’s speech was also brief.
Kagame said, “50 years is short in a life of a nation but very big in transforming the lives of citizens. Africa lost immense opportunity due to unbalanced relationships within the global community often predatory and even abusive in nature.”
“These relations built on injustice and prejudices were possible because some among our citizens and leaders accepted and accommodated such bad practices thus undermining what should have been our independence,” Kagame explained.
Kagame added that some of these weaknesses are within “our means to correct but shall succeed if we are brave enough to accept responsibility. Being brave and honest are qualities that seem to have lost value and meaning these days.”
“The victim attitude prevents us from seeking our own solutions to challenges we face…We must confront our problems directly, Kagame noted amidst applause.
“ ijya kurisha ihera kurugo. Akimuhana kaza imvra ihise” we are also conscious that along the way external factors have affected Africa’s progress.
“If we are to learn from experience of 50yrs. We for too long surrendered responsibility to transform our countries to non state actors that have no accountability. We should seize this moment as turning point,” Kagame emphasized.
He said that as Rwandans look to the future they must recognize that independence like liberation is a process and with it there are obligations and responsibilities across the board. “We must build on lessons of our forebears the value of sacrifice and courage during their quest for independence.”
Kagame reiterated that to ensure prosperity of Rwandan people there must be increased citizen participation, “Our countries liberties and prosperity are very closely linked and mutually reinforced. In Rwanda we begin the next stage of our journey. We shall entrench values that have brought us this far.”
As responsible citizens, Rwandans are committed to contributing to regional and global stability. We can travel safely faster and further in the company of others.
The President added that over the next 50 yrs, “We must acknowledge the role of young people as drivers of the nation. We must pass on a better Rwanda and Africa than we inherited.”
However, “the Young must also understand that they have a responsibility to take our country to the next level,” he cautioned adding that “Our independence will be guaranteed by our own efforts but will always cooperate with others..The primarily responsibility is in our hands.”
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