The United States of America yesterday held a colourful event to commemorate the 235th Independence Day, when the world super power broke away from the British colonialism.
The event held at the embassy’s compound, also marked the 50th anniversary of Peace Corps, a program that involves volunteers from the US who assist African countries in development of various sectors meant to improve the welfare of its people.
The ceremony was presided over by Rwanda’s health Minister Dr. Agnes Binagwaho who hailed the country’s relationship with the U.S government adding that they have achieved a lot particularly in trade.
“At this auspicious, I take this opportunity on behalf Rwanda government to thank the US government’s assistance in enabling African countries to achieve Millennium Development Goals and Rwanda’s inclusion in the African Growth and Opportunity Act” the minister stressed.
She also hailed USA’s assistance towards peace resolution in the Great Lakes region as well as peace keeping in war zones such as Sudan’s Darfur region.
The minister further pointed out that the coincidence of both countries sharing independence dates should be a reminder that the efforts and sacrifices used to save humanity should be cherished.
“Our objective was similar with that of the US since we all fought to gain freedom and save mankind from oppression,” she said amidst thundering cheers from the audience.
Binagwaho concluded her remarks a farewell to the outgoing Ambassador Symington adding, “You have been skillful and showed extreme kindness and frankness in your endeavors,“ said the minister urging him to spread the country’s good name.
On his part, Ambassador Stuart Symington echoed her remarks adding that the liberation wars that highly involved the youth, should encourage youngsters to play a big role in bringing change to their societies.
He noted that he enjoyed his three year stay in Rwanda and that he was proud to see a good number of economic progress during his term.
“I’m so proud to see Rwanda’s contribution towards peace keeping in Darfur, access to health has been expanded to rural, agricultural too has also made tremendous progress.
“Education on the other hand has been beneficial to even the vulnerable, specifically due to the introduction of the 9 year basic education,” He observed.
The Ambassador further pointed out that in future the US Government in partnership with other states build secure and peaceful world founded on four fundamental freedoms.
“There must be freedom of speech and expression everywhere in the world, freedom of every person to worship God in people’s own way everywhere in the world” he stressed adding that there should be freedom from want — which translated broader terms, means basic economic freedoms.
The US independence anniversary is held on 4 July but the Kigali US embassy decided to commemorate it earlier to avoid colliding with the country’s liberation day that is also held on the same day.
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