Triumph and hope. Those are the first two words that come to mind when I think of the Rwandan Liberation story. 25 years later, we stand as a triumphant and hopeful people. Triumphant because we overcame the clutches of death, and hopeful because we hold unto the aspirations of our forefathers. No one can ever understand our struggles like we would, that is why every celebration on the 4th of July is another milestone achieved.
For 100 days and nights people were mercilessly killed because of how they were born, Tutsi. Over one million people murdered by their neighbors, their fellow countrymen. Rwanda beckoned for help, only for the world to turn a blind eye to the atrocities that were taking place. It is the brave men and women of the Rwanda Patriotic Front who chose to take charge and restore peace in their home. Our theme of “Together we prosper” is essentially what has gotten us where we are now. Without the unity of the RPF, Rwanda’s narrative would surely be different.
Recently, H.E Paul Kagame joined local and international journalists on their tour for Kwibohora 25. During his time with these journalists, he highlighted the different struggles faced by the RPF in the struggle to liberate Rwanda. As he explained where we came from and where we are now, and where we are headed, there is one thing that stuck with me. “The best way to reconnect and tap into this relevancy of coming together is through social, political and economic integration. Working together. Thus, problems that affect all of us will be dealt with more easily. Making this continent what it should be.”
This reminded of the concept that when you want to go fast, go alone but when you want to go far, go together. Rwanda’s issues and Africa’s at large can begin to be solved when we come together. The outside world has divided us with different perceptions and adaptations of what our realities should be, and to some extent we have allowed this division to get to us. As Rwandans, we know the consequences of division because we lived through it in 1994, furthermore we know how challenging it is to rebuild from scratch. Therefore it is time for us to step up and come together.
To my fellow youths, as we prepare to carry on the torch, we must remember to safeguard all that has been done. As H.E Paul Kagame said, “ When bad things happen to you, you either give up and lose hope, or you are hardened by it and find some sense of hope that helps you improve.” We cannot afford to give up because of the multitudes of sacrifices that those who came before us made. We must choose unity, and through this unity encourage one another to spearhead the growth of our home, Rwanda.
Happy 25th Liberation Day Rwanda.
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