The Sunday Mail
Kelvin Jakachira
A FEW years after the Rwandan Patriotic Army, the armed wing of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), liberated the country and stopped the genocide against the Tutsi, Dr Filip Reyntjens, a professor at the University of Antwerp in Belgium, raised doubt about the new leadership’s capability to transform a shattered Rwanda into a peaceful and developed country.
Dr Reyntjens, a rabid critic of Rwanda and its leadership, infamously declared: “Rather than liberation, inclusiveness and democracy, the RPF has brought oppression, exclusion and dictatorship. People’s widespread and deep-rooted feelings of frustration, anger and despair are a fertile breeding ground for structural violence, and they are likely to again lead to acute violence.”
But he was wrong. Rwanda has, instead, recorded breathtaking socio-economic growth, which has seen it become a hub for economic activity across the African continent. But amid the gigantic strides Rwanda has achieved since July 4, 1994, Dr Reyntjens, whose objectivity is blurred by his illogical hatred of the African country and its leadership because of his association with the genocidal regime, continues to spew negativity against a united and progressing nation.
As Rwanda celebrated its 29th anniversary of Liberation Day — Kwibohora 29 — on Tuesday last week, joyful and appreciative Rwandans expressed themselves through an assortment of activities.
The liberation anniversary is a highly respected event celebrated across the globe by the country’s diplomatic missions and community.
In Zimbabwe, Rwanda’s Liberation Day will be commemorated in Harare on July 21.
Back in Rwanda, while some Rwandans, especially those who bravely participated in the liberation struggle, were sharing emotion-filled stories of their experiences during the war, which began on October 1, 1990 and culminated in Liberation Day, others took part in various activities.
On July 4, 1994, triumphant RPF liberation fighters stormed Kigali to completely free Rwanda from the grip of the genocidal regime and usher the shattered country into a new era of peace, unity and inclusive socio-economic progress.
As part of celebrations for the 29th anniversary of the Liberation Day, some Rwandans conveyed their happiness through song and dance, while others embarked on a 21-kilometre liberation march to mark the hardships endured by the RPF (Inkotanyi) in their quest to free Rwanda, and to serve as an inspiration for generations to come.
Other Rwandans were cheerful recipients of multi-million-dollar transformative projects, which were launched by Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente in Rwanda’s Western province. The projects included a model village in Rugerero sector, Rubavu district, which will serve as a home to 120 families.
The Rugerero model village comprises an early childhood development centre, a school with smart classrooms, a health centre, various playgrounds, a mini market and beautiful landscaping. These projects were implemented by the Ministry of Defence and the Rwanda Defence Force.
Prime Minister Ngirente dedicated the model village to the residents of Rubavu, describing it as a special gift from President Paul Kagame. Meanwhile, at the newly opened Kigali Pele Stadium, football lovers were absorbed in a pulsating duel pitting the Republican Guard Unit FC and the Task Forces Division on Monday.
The Republican Guard Unit FC beat the Task Forces Division 1-0 in a tightly contested final to win the inaugural RDF Football Liberation Trophy.
Amid the carnival atmosphere, other Rwandans such as Lieutenant-Colonel Lydia Bagwaneza of the Republican Guard, were recounting their gruelling journey after she joined the struggle, when she had just completed primary school.
Lieutenant-Colonel Lydia Bagwaneza and other RPF liberation fighters are proud that their efforts of liberating Rwanda from the genocidal regime have brought the desired results.
Indeed, Rwanda is today a model state admired throughout the African continent and touted as the Singapore of Africa.
In equal measure, Rwandans, who for decades, were condemned to being refugees in other countries and languishing in abject poverty due to entrenched underdevelopment, are now revered by fellow Africans, who see their country as the benchmark for socio-economic progress.
On the other hand, President Kagame is widely celebrated as an exemplary leader, who has uplifted Rwandans from being a hopeless, poor and traumatised population to an admired nation. In addition, he is widely credited for his immeasurable contributions towards Africa’s development, including his efforts to safeguard peace and security across the continent.
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Through President Kagame’s inclusive policies, Rwanda has made significant progress in infrastructure development, poverty reduction, provision of education and health care, promoting gender equality, fighting corruption and creating an easy-going investment and business environment.
Rwanda has also made huge strides in the areas of diplomacy and bilateral cooperation.
Under the leadership of President Kagame, Rwanda’s life expectancy rose to above 70 years in 2023 from a low of 26 in 1994.
Rwanda’s literacy rate has vastly improved to 75,90 percent as a result of inclusive education policies.
Coinciding with Liberation Day celebrations was the release of the 2023 Global Skills Report, which placed Rwanda in third position on a continental level and 52nd globally in ensuring proficiency in skills development.
The ranking was made by Coursera, an open online course provider based in the United States.
The report drew data from Coursera’s database that has over 124 million learners from 100 countries.
This year’s report focused on three of the most sought-after and job-relevant skill domains: business, technology and data science.
According to the report, Rwanda’s position is proof of how the country is dedicated to nurturing a highly skilled workforce.
This confirms the high participation of Rwanda’s young people in the socio-economic development of their country.
President Kagame has put in place mechanisms that ensure the unfettered participation of young people in Rwanda’s development programmes and he is relentless in encouraging their input.
Posting on Twitter on Tuesday last week, President Kagame highlighted the need for young people to contribute to the nation’s development and ensure the hard-won gains are not squandered.
“As we celebrate Rwanda’s achievements in the last 29 years, we pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for every citizen of Rwanda to live a dignified life,” President Kagame remarked, acknowledging the sacrifices made by individuals who fought for the country’s liberation, with some paying the ultimate price.
Addressing the youth directly, President Kagame emphasised the responsibility they bear in carrying the nation’s transformation forward.
“To the young generation, it is your time to pick up from where the country has been brought and do your part to make sure the fruits of the sacrifices of the previous generation are not wasted.”
He also emphasised that the journey towards transforming Rwanda into a prosperous and inclusive nation necessitates unwavering commitment and resilience.
Happy Kwibohora 29.
* Kelvin Jakachira writes in his personal capacity
