Today, Rwanda stands tall, proud, and radian celebrating 29 years of liberation. The essence of the day encapsulates the courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment of the young patriots who braved all odds to rescue their nation from the jaws of despair. We honor their memory as the country celebrates this significant day.
In 1994, the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF), a force primarily made up of young, resolute men and women, brought an end to one of history’s most horrendous genocides— The 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. It was their determination and audacity that fostered a new dawn in Rwanda, sowing the seeds of hope, peace, and unity in the hearts of the people.
President Paul Kagame, himself from the RPF and a leader at the forefront of the liberation, took the stage to commemorate the day. He paid homage to the valorous people who played an instrumental role in the country’s sovereignty.
By that time these men and women were just young. Some had fled from their comfortable homes to join the RPF in the liberation struggle.
Liberation demanded great sacrifices from all involved, many of the liberation fighters are with us only in memory because they made the ultimate sacrifice.
In his remarks during the 20th Anniversary of Liberation, he said, “Nothing about the past is an excuse for failure, even where real wrongs were done. The countless young Rwandans and Africans I have met lack nothing. They can deliver the future we want if we hold each other accountable for it.”
A 2018 study by the International Growth Centre shed light on the astonishing role of Rwandan youth in the country’s post-genocide recovery.
The research underlined the different ways in which young Rwandans have continued to impact community development, entrepreneurship, and socio-economic advancements. Their spirit of resilience and courage remains undiminished, as they stride forward to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
Our youth are not just the future of Rwanda, they are its present. Every day, they are demonstrating their capacity to lead and innovate. They are forging a Rwanda that is thriving, inclusive, and ambitious.
The liberation of Rwanda was not an end; it was the beginning of an arduous journey towards rebuilding a nation that had been on the brink of annihilation.
The vigor and tenacity of Rwandan youth have played a significant role in ensuring that this journey continues, fuelled by the memories of the past, the challenges of the present, and the aspirations of the future.
In the face of adversity, they have risen, demonstrating that resilience is more than just a buzzword—it is a way of life that drives them to contribute to the socio-economic advancement of their nation. They have taken the baton of leadership and are sprinting towards a brighter, more prosperous Rwanda.
This Liberation Day, let us remember not just the liberation but the liberators—the brave young men and women of the RPF. Their courage and resilience serve as a beacon of inspiration for the Rwandan youth of today, urging them to play their part in shaping the country’s destiny.
In President Kagame’s speech at the 25th Anniversary of Liberation, President Kagame said that the most important thing now is to work for a brighter future.
He said, “The logic of liberation is to turn bad things into good things. What Rwandans have achieved is undeniably real. But we must stay humble enough to know that our main challenge is sustainability.”
This is a mission young people today can partake in.
