Nation-building: Rwandans should stay the course

Editor, REFER to the story, “Kwibuka21: for FDLR, it's 21 years of Genocide ideology, revisionism” (The New Times, April 14) The most important fact that the world needs to know is that one can only learn from history and the change that has been registered in Rwanda when and if they visited us.

Monday, April 20, 2015
A member of the Rwandan Diaspora speaks during last year's Umushyikirano in Kigali. (File)

Editor,

REFER to the story, "Kwibuka21: for FDLR, it's 21 years of Genocide ideology, revisionism” (The New Times, April 14)

The most important fact that the world needs to know is that one can only learn from history and the change that has been registered in Rwanda when and if they visited us.

I spent 19 years in refugee camps and I was hearing of the changes in Rwanda but they didn't mean a lot to me until I came back home.

Therefore, many Rwandans in Diaspora and the world at large do not really appreciate the history and mainly the social, economic and political transformation that has taken place in the country.

Additionally, it is unfortunate that there are ill-intentioned influential people who are hell-bent on undermining Rwandans and what they have achieved. They are using their influence to mock a nation through writing and drama. That's why I encourage everyone to come and see for themselves.

Come and see hundreds of thousands of Tutsi lying in memorial grave yards in different parts of the country. Their names are written on graveyards. Even those who killed them know them by their names.

Finally, I believe in revolution. No one can resist a revolution. Rwandans have passed through enough and they have emerged stronger. There is a major point that Rwandans should note: if we continue to spread the gospel of unity and self-reliance, we shall be restored to our originality. That originality destroyed by colonialists and Rwanda shall continue to change for better and forever.

Samuel Amanya