During the 31st Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi, President Paul Kagame delivered a powerful and emotional speech, calling for dignity, sovereignty, and resilience among African nations.
President Kagame said, “If you stand up and fight for yourself, you will survive. We, as African countries and as Rwandans, cannot beg others to let us live. We won’t let anyone treat us badly, tell us we don’t matter, or tell us that other people have to make our laws.”
He delivered these remarks at the Gisozi Genocide Memorial in Kigali, where many people had gathered, including leaders, genocide survivors, Rwandans, and people from other countries. President Kagame’s message extended beyond Rwanda’s past; he urged all of Africa to reject being looked down upon or controlled. He stressed that this is especially crucial now, as many African nations continue to grapple with the lingering effects of historical foreign control and ongoing unfair treatment.
Every year, during Kwibuka, Rwanda remembers the more than one million people who were killed in the genocide against the Tutsi. It’s also a time for Rwanda to show that it is still working hard to be united, fair, and proud as a nation. President Kagame’s speech reminded everyone how strong Rwanda has been and how much it has achieved in the 31 years since the genocide.
Today, Rwanda shows the world the power of remembering what happened, forgiving, and bringing the country together. It shows how a country can rise up with dignity and determination, even after going through a very dark time.
