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Analysis : MONIQUE MUKARULIZA
This year's theme for this important day in the history of our country is Kwibohora24 – Together we prosper. Indeed, we Rwandans know very well what unity means and unity or lack of meaning. Divided by colonialists and intensified by Rwandan leaders before 1994, Rwanda sank into the worst of abysses. As Rwandans, we pay a special tribute to Rwandan women and men who, in different ways, have contributed to the liberation and progress of our country so far. Like many liberation struggles in which Africa is flooded, the case of Rwanda has made enormous sacrifices, including the lives of many brave men and women, some of whom have paid the ultimate price.
Army of unwavering determination to change the unbearable and ruinous situation of Rwandans. In, these ordinary men and women have performed extraordinary acts of courage to save lives and the country from complete oblivion. Indeed, it is important to note that this release marked the successful arrest of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis that had lasted a hundred days since April 7, 1994.
Rwandans, both in the country and abroad abroad, will remain indebted and eternally grateful for this extraordinary heroism and these acts of altruistic bravery
This feat of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) and the enormous progress recorded under its leadership since the genocide have encouraged Rwandans with.
The political dispensation occasioned by this release of July 4, 1994 is the reason for the transformation we see in Rwanda today.
This new life was the result of the heroic sacrifices of these liberators and rulers of today.
The leaders and politics who cultivated reconciliation, unity of purpose, empowerment as well as a desire and vision for the total transformation of the country. The liberation we are celebrating today has ushered in a new vision for the country that has established a secure path of transforming the economy and securing the status of a country of income. intermediary for Rwanda. A vision that defends the emancipation of women and the equality of all Rwandans.
A vision that worked tirelessly to unite and reconcile Rwandans after the devastating genocide. A vision that defends zero tolerance of corruption and requires the chief to be accountable to the people.
A vision and leadership characterized by unwavering determination and zeal to build a diversified economy with empowered Rwandans. Strongly motivated leadership to make a lasting contribution to building a strong, united, integrated and respected African continent.
The liberation struggle launched in October 1990 was made necessary by decades of divisive politics initiated by the colonial administration.
It should be noted that between 1959 and 1994, governments institutionalized ethnically oriented policies and discrimination against their own citizens. With impunity, they abused basic human rights. The entire period was characterized by ethnic cyclical mbadacres culminating in the 1994 genocide.
During this turbulent and tragic past, survivors of mbadacres and persecution fled to seek refuge in neighboring countries or to continue living in Rwanda but in second clbad.
In addition, the country has been subject to regionalism with the region of origin of each head of state taking a lion's share of the national pie. Ironically, although geographically small, Rwandans before 1994 did not have the freedom of movement in their own country. They had to look for movement permissions to move from one district to the other.
On the basis of the above, the liberation we are celebrating today is born of an absolute necessity and a compelling instinct for the survival of national identity. Hundreds of thousands of Rwandans have been rendered stateless with those in the interior of the country to overcome poverty and institutionalized discrimination. It is under these circumstances that a liberation struggle under the able leadership of President Kagame began in October 1990.
However, it is gratifying to note that 24 years after the devastating genocide of 1994, Rwanda has been transformed Successful integration into the global community of nations.
The current stability of the country and its increased role in the regional and international arena have been concretized largely by the visionary leadership of President Kagame
. we are proud of it today, we are an invaluable cornerstone in the revival and rebirth of Rwanda. In the aftermath of the genocide, Rwandans made three important choices: to stay together, to be responsible and to think big. These choices remain at the heart of the country's ongoing renewal and concerted efforts to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Over the past ten years, our country has moved quickly from a pbadive attitude of addiction to an attitude of self-reliance, innovation and a spirit of enterprise Rwanda's dependence Financial badistance has declined significantly from over seventy percent (over 70 percent) of the 1990s to 16 percent so far. This progress towards financial independence is the result of many valuable local solutions, good macroeconomic management practices and the generally impressive economic growth rate that has resulted, averaging 8% over the last decade.
The productivity of Rwandans, measured by the main indicators of health, education, income and general well-being, has greatly improved. Access to basic social services has expanded enormously.
For example, between 1962 and 1994, Rwanda had less than 1,500 graduates, the total number of enrollments at the university having been 2,160 students. Over the past two decades, Rwandan children have benefited from free universal primary and secondary education. To date, more than 80,000 Rwandans are enrolled in the university.
With 64% of women in parliament and achieving gender parity in primary education, Rwanda continues to promote the rights of women and children. which now covers ninety percent of the population. In turn, life expectancy has risen to 64 years over the last decade, representing a thirteen-year increase in the lives of Rwandans.
This socio-economic renaissance of Rwanda is a major pillar of its holistic liberation. The milestones of this current phase are well documented by both Tutsi nationalists
and international researchers. With its long-term strategic plan known as Vision 2020, Rwanda's economic growth has reduced poverty levels from 78.8 percent in 1995 to 39 percent in 2014 (UNDP).
Last year, Rwanda launched a Transformation (NST1), which will run from 2017 to 2024 to continue Rwanda's transformation agenda. The NST1, which encompbades the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), will strengthen the implementation of local solutions that Rwanda is famous for. It is to promote the development of the private sector as an engine of Rwanda's economic growth while ensuring the inclusion of all segments of society.
Good governance and the establishment of legal frameworks stimulate economic development and ensure equity, transparency and accountability in all sectors underpin Rwanda's impressive progress.
Indeed, given the very weak base of 1994, Rwanda has changed enormously in different sectors and domains. Despite the remarkable progress made by Rwanda after the 1994 apocalypse, we Rwandans are aware that the struggle for self-sufficiency and sustainable economic transformation is still ongoing.
Relations between Zambia and Rwanda continue to grow strong. An upsurge in interactions and exchanges of good practice between the two countries and between many sectors deserves to be welcomed.
There is also growing networking among members of the private sectors, signaling growing business ties
. the last two years have seen the exchange of state visits by President Paul Kagame and President Lungu.
Seven memoranda of understanding were signed between the two countries and in very strategic sectors of mutual interest. There were also numerous exchanges of visits at senior official level as well as the holding of a joint meeting of the Zambia-Rwanda Joint Cooperation Commission (CCPJ)
. I would like to congratulate the Government of the Republic from Zambia Residence permits were granted to some 1,468 former Rwandan refugees, some of whom have lived in the country for 24 years.
We believe that this three-year transition period will help these former refugees make an informed choice as provided for in the previous cessation clause. The choices available to them are: either regularize their stay in Zambia and be issued a residence permit, or return home. Rwanda remains a good partner in relevant advocacy efforts and continues to provide consular support in the process of implementing the two choices mentioned.
The journey and the positive turnaround of Rwanda over the last twenty-four years is healing and reconciliation. -Work, resilience and hope.
We, as Rwanda, attach great importance to building the unity of purpose and enhancing valuable bilateral and multilateral relations. Indeed, we are always stronger together. In the same vein, President Paul Kagame said in 2009: "The history of our liberation is intrinsically linked to other struggles on the continent because of the similarities and kinship that we share – no country can achieve sustainable socioeconomic transformation in isolation, and without addressing issues of common interest. "
The author The High Commissioner of Rwanda in Zambia
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