{Today in Nairobi, over four hundred Rwandans gathered at premises of Rwanda High Commission to mark the twenty-one years of liberation of Rwanda. }
The event was held at the High Commission premises in Nairobi was glanced by different guests including officials from Kenyan Government, Excellency Ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic corps and Rwandans living in Nairobi.
Speaking at the occasion, Rwanda’s High Commissionaire to Kenya, Ambassador James Kimonyo emphasised on the theme for this year ‘Prosperity in Dignity’ and how it depicts the difficult journey that Rwandans have walked in the past twenty-one years and where they want to go as a people.
He narrated how the postcolonial political system kept Rwandan society deeply divided and denied a section of Rwandans fundamental rights to life and rights to statehood until Rwanda Patriotic Front launched a Liberation Struggle that succeeded in defeating the genocidal regime on the 4th July 1994. However, the regime in power had brutally massacred over one million people in one of the most gruesome genocide of the 21st century.
“As we celebrate the rebirth of Rwanda, we humbly pay tribute to our freedom fighters and departed heroes for their unparalleled courage and sacrifice without which Rwanda wouldn’t be where it is to day. We shall always remain indebted to them.” He said
Kimonyo continued to show that after the liberation, Rwanda
faced enormous challenges but the government had to make difficult choices and decisions in order to come out of socio-political and economic progress.
“As His Excellency President Paul Kagame said, I quote; “After 1994, everything was a priority and our people were completely broken. But we made three fundamental choices that guide us to this day;
One — we chose to stay together,
Two, we chose to be accountable to ourselves,
Three — we chose to think big”.
“These choices have enabled Rwanda to make tremendous progress in different aspects of National life including security, justice, governance, democratic dispensation, economic transformation and social progress.” Kimonyo said
In his address, Ambassador Kimonyo talked about journey of liberation has made Rwanda enjoy regional and global cooperation that has significantly contributed to the realization social-economic progress.
He noted that Rwanda and Kenya in particular enjoy deep friendship and cordial relations based on shared values and ambitions to transform the lives of our citizens.
“In terms foreign direct investment in Rwanda, Kenya ranks number one. This has come as a result of accelerated reforms and policies initiated by our two governments.” He noted
He concluded his remarks by saying that it would be dishonouring heroes who liberated Rwanda and stopped the Genocide against the Tutsi if we accept mediocre and tolerate injustices they fought to stop.
He picked the example of a recent case where Rwanda’s Chief of National Intelligence and Security Services-Gen Karenzi Karake was arrested by the UK government accusing him of committing Genocide.
“Let me use this opportunity to thank fellow Africans through our continental body the African Union for condemning this arrest. It confounds us Rwandans to see how A man among those who stopped the genocide and liberated our country, A man who after a rigorous vetting process became UN Force overall commander in Darfur can be arrested on the basis of accusations revealed against him and other comrades by the very same people who committed. For whatever reason this is unacceptable and whatever the case Rwanda will keep the candle burning”. He concluded
Mr. Joseph Ayimba, assistant director, foreign service who represented Kenya government at the event recognised of the strides which the people of Rwanda have taken to rise from the depths of despair that were visited on them by the Genocide.
As Rwanda marks the 21st Anniversary of the end of the Genocide, we also celebrate the tremendous achievements it has registered in all spheres of development since the end of that dark chapter in its otherwise proud history.
“This resilience and resolve to chart a new direction serves to inspire great hope not only in Rwandans, but also the region, Africa and the international community at large.” He said
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