#Kwibobora25: Speech by President Kagame at 25th Liberation

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Transcript

00:00 [Music]

00:02 We are here to observe the 25th anniversary of Rwanda's reparation.

00:15 It is a privilege to mark this occasion in the company of so many friends of Rwanda from around the world.

00:38 I thank you all on behalf of our country for your solidarity and friendship over many years.

00:50 It means a great deal to us.

00:58 I must especially thank our brothers and sisters, the heads of state, and first ladies who have made the journey to be with us here today.

01:23 For three long months in 1994, our country's survival was in doubt.

01:36 One of the worst tragedies unfolded.

01:46 A segment of the population was being hunted and killed.

01:56 More than a million people were murdered.

02:07 By July 4th, the forces of Warapiye had brought the killings to an end.

02:26 Twenty-five seasons of mourning have passed since then, and with time, it is important to recall that the campaign against genocide

02:44 became more than a military operation in the conventional sense.

02:55 It became a rescue mission.

03:00 This was just one side among many.

03:06 Around us today are some of the men and women who protected survivors and led them to safety.

03:23 [applause]

03:28 Our army and those others who supported it lived and others died for our country.

03:50 Those still alive continue to serve it with steadfast devotion.

04:00 [applause]

04:04 We thank you.

04:12 Many other liberation fighters are here with us only in memory because they made the ultimate sacrifice.

04:28 [applause]

04:35 Where did humanity, the humanity and heroism come from?

04:42 The answer is simple.

04:46 We believed in our right to dignity as Rwandans.

05:04 This conviction was the starting point of the liberation struggle.

05:11 The aim was to build a Rwanda with equal rights for all.

05:22 In other words, a republic in the real sense.

05:30 For decades and decades, Rwandans were treated as objects to be used and discarded by anyone, especially the powerful.

05:48 It won't be anymore.

05:57 [applause]

06:00 Both the suffering of the refugees as well as the oppression and poverty of those who remained here had a similar origin.

06:15 Had we ever truly been united at any point in our history?

06:27 And yet, our culture provides us with the tools for a successful society.

06:36 Liberation was not about restoring the past, but creating something fundamentally new and better for all Rwandans.

06:50 [applause]

06:55 This fight was necessary and indeed unavoidable.

07:02 If there will ever be necessity for more fights, we will be there.

07:14 [applause]

07:19 The vision of unity and justice attracted broad support because it resonates so strongly with the human spirit.

07:33 But the proof was in actions, not words.

07:43 For the last 25 years, we have done our best to govern according to the liberation ideals that we fought for.

07:56 The conduct of our forces is one example.

08:05 Another is the bravery of those within Rwanda who opposed divisive politics.

08:19 Or the energy that our people give every day to transforming the nation as we have seen in the past 25 years.

08:34 As a result, the seemingly impossible has become manageable and even natural.

08:48 [applause]

08:50 Achievements like restoring trust and peace or working together, for example.

08:59 But we cannot take anything for granted.

09:05 The force that stands before us, together with other actors in the struggle, have remained true to their cause.

09:23 [applause]

09:27 They are a representation of the spirit of this country.

09:34 It is the responsibility of every Rwandan to extend the gains we have made.

09:45 Rwanda appreciates the profound link between our liberation journey and the wider African quest for self-determination.

09:59 [applause]

10:03 We all share the same aspirations to be free and to improve ourselves to the fullest extent.

10:14 Our continent cannot remain dependent on what happens elsewhere.

10:26 Our mindset should be to rely first of all on ourselves and on each other.

10:36 It is worth repeating, being Rwandan simply means being an African from a particular place.

10:49 [applause]

10:54 And I thank the military service chiefs who have come from both our region and beyond.

11:07 [applause]

11:10 The logic of liberation is to turn bad things into good things.

11:21 What Rwandans have achieved is undeniably real.

11:27 But we must stay humble enough to know that our main challenge is sustainability.

11:39 [Rwandan]

12:06 [Rwandan]

12:24 [applause]

12:31 [Rwandan]

12:38 [applause]

12:42 We left the past behind us and embraced the future by coming together as a family.

12:54 We must remain solid in defense of these values through each and every generation.

13:06 We will not lose our way again.

13:13 [applause]

13:20 Let me wish you all a very happy Liberation Day.

13:27 [Rwandan]

13:30 I thank you.

13:32 [applause]

13:36 [MUSIC PLAYING]

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