Kigali, Rwanda – President Paul Kagame has declared that Rwanda will never allow the tragedies of its past to happen again, emphasizing that the country’s security, unity, and sovereignty remain non-negotiable pillars of its future. Delivering his address during the 32nd Liberation Day (Kwibohora 32) celebrations on July 4, 2026, Kagame paid tribute to the courage and sacrifice of the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA), whose determination ended decades of oppression and ultimately stopped the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The President honored the thousands of men and women who gave their lives during the liberation struggle, noting that although many did not live to witness today’s Rwanda, the nation they fought for is now a visible reality. He said their sacrifices laid the foundation for a country built on dignity, equal rights, security, and opportunity for all Rwandans.
Reflecting on Rwanda’s history, Kagame said the country endured many years under a deliberate system of exclusion, fear, discrimination, and division that deprived millions of their fundamental rights. He explained that the liberation struggle was launched to restore what had been taken away from the Rwandan people—the right to live with dignity, equality, and human worth.
The President cautioned, however, that the ideology which fueled the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi has not disappeared entirely. According to Kagame, genocidal thinking continues to exist in different forms and remains visible in parts of the Great Lakes region, posing an ongoing threat to peace and stability. Drawing on Rwanda’s painful history, he stressed that the country understands better than most the dangers of allowing such ideologies to survive unchecked.
“We have seen too much and suffered too much to ever take this threat lightly,” Kagame said, underscoring Rwanda’s commitment to remaining vigilant against forces that promote hatred, ethnic division, and violence.
Without naming specific countries, Kagame reaffirmed that Rwanda’s national security is determined by the responsibility to protect its citizens rather than by the expectations or approval of external actors. He stressed that security and good governance form the foundation of everything Rwanda has achieved over the past three decades and remain essential to safeguarding the country’s continued development.
“Security is a matter of survival, not external approval,” Kagame stated. “Without it, nothing else holds together. That is why we remain vigilant and firm.”
The President’s remarks come amid continuing regional tensions, particularly in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where Rwanda has repeatedly warned about the continued presence of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed group founded by individuals responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Kigali has consistently argued that the failure to dismantle the FDLR and its continued cooperation with elements inside the DRC represent a direct threat to Rwanda’s national security and regional stability. Rwandan officials maintain that lasting peace in eastern Congo cannot be achieved while genocidal organizations continue to operate with relative freedom.
President Kagame reiterated that Rwanda’s determination to defend its sovereignty and protect its citizens will remain unwavering regardless of international criticism. He affirmed that the country’s security policies are guided by lessons learned through painful historical experience rather than by political convenience.
Addressing Rwanda’s younger generation, many of whom were born long after the country’s darkest chapter, Kagame reminded them that preserving Rwanda’s achievements is primarily the responsibility of Rwandans themselves. While acknowledging that Rwanda values international partnerships and constructive cooperation, he cautioned that no external partner can substitute for the responsibility citizens have toward safeguarding their own nation.
“There are those who support us, and there are those who may disagree with us or misunderstand what we seek to achieve,” Kagame said. “But we know that, in the end, anyone can choose to turn their back on us. We have no other option. It is our responsibility to ensure that every Rwandan can live in peace and prosper in their own country.”
He explained that liberation is not a single historical event but a continuous national mission that evolves with each generation. According to Kagame, Rwanda’s ongoing liberation is reflected in its sustained efforts to improve citizens’ living standards, strengthen institutions, expand economic opportunities, and reinforce national unity.
The President concluded his address with a message of confidence and optimism, stating that Rwanda’s future remains bright because it is anchored in unity, resilience, mutual respect, and the rejection of ethnic division. He urged all Rwandans to remain committed to the path that has transformed the country over the past 32 years.
“What happened in this country will never happen again, for one simple reason,” Kagame declared. “We will not allow it.”
His message reaffirmed Rwanda’s longstanding position that remembrance, vigilance, strong governance, and national self-reliance remain indispensable to preventing the return of genocide ideology and ensuring lasting peace. The speech also reinforced Kigali’s view that regional security requires confronting extremist armed groups and the ideologies they represent, rather than tolerating their continued existence under any political or military arrangement.
