President Paul Kagame has wished residents of Kinyinya and all Rwandans a happy Liberation Day.
President Paul Kagame has said that Rwanda’s current and future development is, should and will be built on unique solutions that respond to the country’s history that was marred by an attitude of being observers toward issues that literally killed the country and its people.
Kagame said that though Rwanda shares a similar history like many African countries, Rwanda have managed to transcend that history and work towards development, thus they should be in position to safeguard what they have worked for, and have the desire to fight any attempt to disrupt this achievement.
Kagame was addressing thousands of citizens who had converged at the July 4, 2013, celebrations to mark the country’s liberation achievements that were spearheaded by the Rwanda Patriotic Front nineteen years ago.
“The development we have made. Small or big, should be a reminder that in future there is a lot we have to achieve, and if we don’t we will be observers, but if we do, then we want to have our dignity and this should make us proud of what we have attained” Kagame said.
Kagame noted that “this progress should also remind us that we should safe guard what we have achieved and anything that threatens it progress. As we feel the desire and need to work for development, is the same way we should feel the urge of protecting what we have built”
Kagame said that not a single Rwandan (young, old) should be left behind in the bid to strive for the growth and development of the country, since it doesn’t come an easy way as seen from other countries that have developed.
He said that the itch to work for progress and the itch for safeguarding the progress go-hand- in hand and every Rwandan should be looking for a fight, an itching for a fight with anyone who wants to disrupt this achievement.
“The history of our country doesn’t call for working in a normal way to resolve the problems we encountered. We must work in a unique way so that we see more of the development activities which we are seeing- that have been done in a unique way”.
The president also noted it’s evident that residents and armed forces have worked together to build the community and this is visible among vulnerable residents who have attained a better lifestyle which suits them. “That is why I remind the army, the Rwandans and leaders to work in a unique way” he said
Kagame said that Rwanda should continue striving for a nation where no one left out, all equal, all have a say, all children going to school and being in position to work for their country. A Rwanda that has enough food, markets, uses its mind and resources and energy to attain the development that others have attained after striving for it.
He also stated that no one should question who Rwandans are and what they want to be or even where they are heading, since it was a sole responsibility and role of Rwandans to define this path and answer these questions.
Kagame however, thanked Rwandan citizens for their daily activities and collaboration and noted that Rwandans have gone beyond things that can discourage them and have reached a level where whatever they do has value, benefit, and dignity for the country…with a sense of unity, peace and good standards of living.
“These good activities of development that we see should keep reminding us of the good life that we should strive for and work for each day. Wish you a good life and continue striving for every time” he concluded.
This year’s Liberation day 2013, was held in various villages countrywide under the theme: “Celebrating African renaissance-striving for self reliance”. The President and the First lady joined residents of Kinyinya sector, in Kigali city to mark the event which reminds Rwandans of the liberation from the 1994 genocide against Tutsis and bad leadership.