President Paul Kagame has reaffirmed Rwanda’s enduring commitment to unity, self-reliance, and national resilience, saying the country’s remarkable journey from the devastation of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi to peace and development demonstrates the strength of a people determined to shape their own future. Speaking during the Unity Club dialogue held at Intare Arena, President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame joined Unity Club members and other national leaders for a reflection on the history that led to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and the liberation campaign that ended the genocide. Throughout his address, President Kagame highlighted the importance of preserving historical truth, strengthening national unity, and ensuring that Rwanda remains capable of protecting its hard-earned peace and sovereignty.
President Kagame said Rwanda’s liberation represented far more than a military victory. He described it as the moment when Rwandans reclaimed their nation and chose hope over division, unity over hatred, and national reconstruction over despair. He said the country refused to allow genocide to define its future and instead embraced a vision centered on reconciliation, dignity, and development. According to the President, that same spirit continues to guide Rwanda as it addresses present-day challenges while building a stronger and more prosperous nation.
Turning to regional security, President Kagame said events in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo over recent years have reinforced Rwanda’s long-standing security concerns. He said armed groups, including the FDLR, together with Wazalendo militias, Burundian forces, FARDC, South African troops, and other actors, were assembled in eastern Congo in circumstances that, according to Rwanda, posed a serious threat to the country’s security and stability. President Kagame said the scale of those forces and the developments on the ground reflected an effort to undermine Rwanda’s security and reverse the progress the nation has achieved over the past three decades.
President Kagame also noted that foreign mercenaries had been recruited during the conflict, saying this demonstrated the lengths to which Rwanda’s adversaries were prepared to go. He praised the Rwanda Defence Force and those who stood alongside it for their professionalism, discipline, and dedication to safeguarding the country’s sovereignty. He also pointed to Rwanda’s decision to allow departing mercenaries to leave safely as an example of confidence, restraint, and respect for humanitarian principles, even in the face of hostility.
The President emphasized that Rwanda has learned through its history that peace must always be protected. He said the nation will continue to rely on the courage of its people, the professionalism of its institutions, and the unity of its citizens to preserve security and independence. President Kagame affirmed that Rwanda possesses both the determination and the capability to defend itself whenever necessary, describing that responsibility as a fundamental right of every sovereign nation.
Reflecting on the dialogue itself, President Kagame said the panel demonstrated the extraordinary path Rwanda has taken since 1994 by bringing together individuals whose lives had been shaped by different chapters of the country’s history. The participation of retired General Ibingira from the former Rwanda Patriotic Army, a former member of the ex-FAR, and a former member of the FDLR illustrated Rwanda’s willingness to confront its history openly while encouraging reconciliation based on truth and shared responsibility. President Kagame said such conversations help strengthen national unity by allowing Rwandans to learn from the past while remaining focused on building a common future.
President Kagame encouraged citizens to remain focused on meaningful achievements rather than becoming distracted by criticism or personal attacks. He said the strongest response to insults is continued progress through education, innovation, hard work, and national service. According to the President, those who dedicate themselves to building their country leave a lasting legacy, while those who seek only to provoke others eventually become trapped by the divisions of the past. He urged Rwandans to invest their energy in strengthening themselves and contributing positively to the nation’s continued transformation.
Returning to the significance of liberation, President Kagame said Rwanda’s darkest chapter should never define the character or aspirations of its people. He said liberation symbolizes the determination of Rwandans to take ownership of their future, reject the ideology that led to genocide, and establish a nation founded on unity, security, and equal opportunity. He emphasized that Rwanda’s continued progress reflects the resilience of its citizens and their unwavering commitment to building a country that stands confidently on its own achievements.
Concluding his remarks, President Kagame said genuine patriotism is demonstrated through commitment, sacrifice, and service to the nation. He encouraged Rwandans to remain steadfast in defending the values that have enabled the country to recover, prosper, and earn international recognition for its stability and development. He said Rwanda’s journey stands as powerful evidence that a nation can overcome even the deepest tragedy when its people remain united by a shared purpose and an unshakable belief in their ability to determine their own destiny. The President affirmed that Rwanda will continue moving forward with confidence, protecting its sovereignty, preserving the truth of its history, and pursuing a future shaped by peace, unity, and the determination of its own people.
