President Paul Kagame has urged Rwandans, particularly those entrusted with leadership responsibilities, to reject complacency and actively confront actions that could undermine the country’s development, stressing that remaining silent in the face of wrongdoing ultimately harms both society and national progress. He delivered the message on July 17, 2026, during the FPR-Inkotanyi Political Bureau Meeting, which brought together more than 2,000 participants, including members of the FPR-Inkotanyi, accredited diplomats serving in Rwanda, and representatives of political organizations operating in the country.
In his address, President Kagame emphasized that national transformation begins with individual responsibility, discipline, and integrity. He encouraged citizens to cultivate the moral strength required to oppose misconduct rather than tolerate it. “Every person must build themselves by developing strength, values, determination, and the courage to fight against what is wrong,” President Kagame said. “When individuals develop these qualities, they succeed. Rwanda, as a nation, needs this more than ever. We must strengthen ourselves as individuals, and when we do so collectively as a country, we can achieve far greater things.” He added that accountability should guide everyday conduct, noting that citizens already understand the difference between acceptable and unacceptable behavior and should remain committed to fulfilling their responsibilities while resisting practices that weaken society.
President Kagame stated that personal integrity also requires confronting wrongdoing when it occurs. He questioned why individuals often hesitate to challenge inappropriate conduct, even among friends or colleagues, warning that silence allows harmful behavior to become normalized. “When you see someone doing something wrong, why hesitate to tell them that it is unacceptable? Why not tell your friend, ‘You should not be doing this’?” he said. President Kagame cautioned that if misconduct is ignored and repeatedly tolerated, it will inevitably affect the country’s development and the well-being of its people. He called on participants to remain vigilant, cooperate with one another, and condemn unacceptable behavior regardless of who is responsible, emphasizing that safeguarding Rwanda’s development demands principled action from every citizen.
President Kagame also encouraged perseverance, reminding participants that meaningful progress requires persistence despite setbacks. “Nothing in this world is ever perfect,” he said. “Keep trying, and if you do not achieve your goal the first time, try again. Never give up because others tell you to stop. Continue until you succeed. That is the only reliable path to development.” His remarks underscored the importance of resilience and determination as essential ingredients for sustained national advancement.
The meeting also highlighted personal testimonies from young Rwandans whose experiences reflected themes of perseverance, patriotism, and service. Rally driver Queen Kalimpinya shared her journey in motorsport and encouraged fellow youth to pursue ambitious goals, collaborate with others, and remain focused on achieving their aspirations. Patrick Nkurunziza recounted being abducted at the age of 14 from school in Rutshuru, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and taken to an FDLR camp in Walikale for military training. After deciding to return to Rwanda, he said his family was killed in the DRC, but upon arriving in Rwanda he found a society free from the ethnic hatred he had previously been taught. Having completed his education and established a career, he now uses his music to encourage those still associated with armed groups in eastern Congo to return home, while urging Rwanda’s youth to remain resilient and committed to contributing to the country’s future.
Assistant Inspector of Police David Shumbusho of the Rwanda National Police’s Public Relations and Communications Department also addressed the gathering, describing how he rose from a modest background in Rwamagana District to achieve his career aspirations. He attributed his progress to maintaining a clear sense of purpose, remaining disciplined, avoiding alcohol abuse and other harmful influences, including negative content on social media, and taking advantage of educational opportunities. Shumbusho expressed appreciation for Rwanda’s leadership, saying the country’s policies have enabled young people from different backgrounds to pursue their ambitions.
During the same meeting, President Kagame also addressed regional security issues, reaffirming Rwanda’s position regarding the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) terrorist group, an armed group composed in part of individuals linked to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, which Rwandan identifies as a continuing national security threat. He rejected suggestions that Rwanda should remain silent on the issue, saying that the presence of the FDLR remains the principal reason the matter directly affects Rwanda. “I often ask people why they continue to portray this as Rwanda’s problem. It is not Rwanda’s problem; it is Congo’s problem and the problem of its people,” President Kagame said. “It becomes Rwanda’s concern only because the FDLR terrorist group remains there and must be dealt with one way or another. The Congolese can solve it themselves, or the United Nations, which is present there, can help resolve it. Stop allowing them to threaten our country, or we will deal with the problem ourselves.”
President Kagame said that successive peace initiatives between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have repeatedly encountered obstacles because, in his view, Kinshasa has continued supporting the FDLR genocidaire while pursuing military cooperation with other foreign forces. Referring to the peace agreement signed by Rwanda and the DRC in the United States in December 2025, he said the accord envisioned dismantling the FDLR, the removal of Rwanda’s defensive measures, and expanded economic cooperation between the two neighboring countries. However, he expressed concern that subsequent interpretations of the agreement had altered its intended sequence by suggesting that Rwanda should first withdraw its security measures before action is taken against the FDLR, an approach he said contradicts the original commitments. President Kagame also dismissed suggestions that members of AFC/M23 would relocate to Rwanda, stating, “That suggests there is another agenda behind these arguments. They seem to think we are going to receive M23 here.” He further maintained that debates regarding the historical identity of M23 members should not be attributed to Rwanda, arguing that those issues originated during the colonial period.
Addressing the broader regional context, President Kagame said Rwanda had repeatedly raised concerns over military developments around Uvira, including deployments involving Burundian forces, before the area later came under the control of AFC/M23. According to the President, those developments were later cited by some observers as evidence that Rwanda was unwilling to implement the peace agreement, despite earlier warnings. He further stated that while increasing international attention has focused on M23, the FDLR continues to operate alongside Congolese state forces, a situation he described as widely known. “Everyone knows these facts,” President Kagame said. “The real difficulty is that some people believe they can use pressure to define what is true and what should be done, while expecting everyone else to remain silent. The moment you ask questions, you are immediately threatened with sanctions.”
President Kagame also referred to sanctions imposed on Rwanda by the United States, saying they have contributed to an environment in which some individuals hesitate to speak openly about regional security concerns. He recalled that Rwanda had previously warned about violence in Minembwe but said those concerns were dismissed by those who argued that the issue was not Rwanda’s responsibility. “They simply said it was none of our business. No one even asked whether we were raising concerns because people were being killed. They only insisted it was not Rwanda’s problem,” he stated. He cautioned that suppressing debate rather than implementing agreed commitments could further destabilize the region. “Trying to silence people is becoming a bigger problem than many imagine,” President Kagame said. “I will only be silent when I am dead. That is the only way anyone will silence me.” Concluding his address, the President reaffirmed that although Rwanda is a small country that has faced significant challenges throughout its history, it remains committed to protecting its sovereignty, security, and continued development.
