Local government and private sector leaders need to work together with citizens in fostering unity and reconciliation in the country, the Prime Minister, Anastase Murekezi has said.

Speaking at the launch of 'Unity and Reconciliation Forum’ in Nyaruguru District at ' Groupe Scolaire Mère du Verbe-Kibeho' last week, the premier said unity and reconciliation are vital elements for sustainable development.

"Rwandans bear witness on the power of unity and reconciliation. They have achieved various development goals as a result of unity and reconciliation. There is need for partnership to realise such progress,” he said.

"The country was destroyed during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsis because of misguided ethnic divisions."

The forum featured Members of Parliament, members of the Unity Club dubbed ‘Intwararumuri: torch bearers’, representatives of civil society organisations, joint action development forum leaders, former and current district leaders and various protectors of friendship pact ‘Abarinzi b’Igihango’ from the district.

Fidele Ndayisaba, the Executive Secretary of the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC), said the ongoing unity and reconciliation journey in Rwandan society goes hand in hand with fighting genocide ideology.

Currently, unity and reconciliation among Rwandans stands at 90 percent, according to the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission.

 Justin Karabaraga, the former Vice-Mayor of former commune Nyakizu located in former Gikongoro prefecture, said that unity and reconciliation has led to harmonious living.

He noted that the divisive identity cards indicating Tutsis, Hutus, and Twa presented a challenge to unity of Rwandans before 1994.

Agnes Mukabano, a women leader in Nyaruguru said traditional approach to resolving conflicts such as Gacaca courts has been instrumental in the country’s reconciliation process which has to be taught from generations to generation.