US Embassy staff were joined by Rwandan government and  friends on Thursday to celebrate the 238th anniversary of the independence of the United States.

The Day is marked annually on July 4, but the US embassy celebrates it on different days because it coincides with Rwanda’s Liberation Day.

U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda Donald Koran, and his wife Cynthia Goodson, hosted the event at the embassy compound in Kacyiru. The  Guest of Honour was the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Louise Mushikiwabo.

"Democracies are made stronger and richer by the beautiful cacophony of all voices. We don’t always agree, but we must all be free to disagree,” Amb. Koran said.

"We share our celebration with our gracious hosts here in Rwanda on the heels of their own independence and liberation commemoration last week. I congratulate all Rwandans on your independence and for the determined hard work you have all done during the past 20 years to rebuild your country.”

In her remarks, Mushikiwabo commended the role of the American government in Rwanda’s development after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

"Rwanda appreciates the mutual support of the US, especially in the health sector through the President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief, as well as malaria initiatives that have contributed towards the health of our people,” Mushikiwabo said.

"Rwanda also appreciates US partnership with Rwanda on the political arena. In fact, as we stand here, US and Rwanda are working together (in the UN Security Council) on a very serious issue on the current developments in the Gaza Strip.”

Mushikiwabo also urged the US government to have "absolute intolerance” to terrorist groups, specifically the FDLR militia in Eastern DRC.