Kigali, Rwanda — President Paul Kagame on Friday delivered a strong message of gratitude and national resolve, praising Rwandans across all sectors for their role in driving the country’s development and singling out the security institutions and citizens for safeguarding unity, peace, and stability.
Speaking at the 17th RPF Inkotanyi Congress held at Intare Arena in Rusororo, President Kagame reflected on Rwanda’s transformation from a history scarred by division and genocide to a nation anchored in cohesion, resilience, and shared purpose.
In his address, the President gave special recognition to the security sector, commending the Rwanda Defence Force, the National Police, and other security services for their professionalism and unwavering commitment to the country.
“Among those I wish to thank, I want to specifically highlight the security forces—the RDF, the police, and the broader security services. What they do for our country and for all of us is beyond what I could ask for. These are exactly the forces I have always hoped Rwanda would have,” President Kagame said, drawing applause from delegates.
He went on to praise the Rwandan people, describing them as the backbone of the nation’s progress and a decisive force against efforts to undermine unity.
“I do not know of any country with citizens better than ours. When you consider where we came from—divisionist politics and genocide—it is extraordinary that we have reached a point where our people stand together, even as there are persistent attempts from outside to drag them back into that painful past,” he said.
According to President Kagame, repeated attempts to destabilize Rwanda have failed primarily because citizens have refused to be divided. He noted that efforts to fuel internal conflict did not succeed, as Rwandans chose solidarity over discord.
The President also pointed out that some individuals who left the country were, at different times, exploited by external actors seeking to fracture the RPF and weaken national unity. He said such tactics ultimately collapsed in the face of Rwanda’s collective resolve.
Addressing foreign interference, President Kagame referenced attempts by outside forces to influence Rwanda’s internal political processes, including efforts to promote certain individuals for leadership positions. He stressed that while aspiring to become president is legitimate, pursuing such ambitions through foreign backing is unacceptable and has consistently failed.
He further credited Rwandans with resisting divisive agendas disguised under the banner of non-governmental organizations and other entities, emphasizing that national unity remains non-negotiable. At the same time, he urged leaders who fail to meet the expectations of citizens to engage in self-reflection and change course.
President Kagame also commended other political parties for taking a principled stand against attempts to divide the Rwandan people, underscoring that unity and national cohesion are shared responsibilities across the political spectrum.
His remarks were reinforced by recent governance data. The Rwanda Governance Scorecard, released on October 31, 2025, confirmed that safety and security remain Rwanda’s strongest-performing pillar, scoring 90.02 percent. The results reaffirm Rwanda’s reputation as one of the safest countries in Africa.
The report attributes this performance to consistently high public confidence in the Rwanda Defence Force, the National Police, and community-based security structures, which continue to play a central role in maintaining peace, stability, and trust nationwide.
