Residents in Northern Province’s Musanze District should acquaint themselves with what  it took to liberate the country from a genocidal government and work for the common good to sustain the achievements of the last twenty years.

The call was made by various officials in the province on Friday as hundreds of residents joined the nation to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Liberation Day.

The event was marked by participants chanting liberation songs and listing the achievements such as unity, reconciliation, gender equality, peace and prosperity, among others.

People gathered at Ubworoherane Stadium in Musanze to receive messages of the day.

Efforts by former Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) soldiers, some of them who lost their lives and others left disabled, were recognized at the event.

Col. David Ngarambe, the Brigade Commander of 305 battalion operating in Burera and Musanze districts, told the participants avoid divisive ideology but work together for the common good of all Rwandans.

"As we celebrate the 20th liberation, we have to look back to the past. It is not only a time for joy and dance, but to also reflect on the bad history we wanted to end. If we want to build a better country, we have to bear in mind that this is a country for all Rwandans,” Ngarambe told the participants.

"Our liberation struggle was based on a strong foundations and we all need to sustain what we have achieved,” he added.

The Mayor of Musanze District, Winfride Mpembyemungu, urged residents to be focused and work for their sustainable development and avoid anything that can derail their development.

"Let us focus on our social welfare, improve our economy and strengthen our security. Let’s use what we have already achieved in order to achieve more,” she said.

She especially urged the youth to be guided by discipline and focus on their studies so they can step in the boots of the current army and keep Rwanda more secure and developed.

Residents speak out

Local residents said they recognize what was achieved and they expressed their commitment to sustain them through hard work and ensuring that they avoid segregation that can cause insecurity in the country.

"Rwandans had lived a life of harassment, nepotism and other kinds of inequality. Now that all of that has been abolished and we are living without any segregation, it is our task to keep this alive. We are grateful for RPA who liberated the country and we are committed to sustain the liberation fruits,” said 60-year-old Manasseh Ntawuhezigihugu, a resident of Muhoza Sector.

Another resident, a Senior five student, said she was committed to study hard and keep the discipline so she becomes a better leader who promotes equal rights and a discrimination-free country.