First Lady Jeannette Kagame has emphasized that reconciliation was one of the major ways Rwanda managed to recover and rebuild itself from consequences of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, citing it as the basis for sustainable peace and development in any country.

She delivered this message to different leaders on Saturday, at a monthly Prayer Breakfast organised by the Rwanda Leaders Fellowship at the Kigali Marriott Hotel.

At the event, prayers reflected on the theme of "Reconciliation for Sustainable Peace and Development”, looking at how the approach has helped Rwandans healed and developed.

First Lady Jeannette Kagame, in her remarks, said that for Rwandans to heal, they had to assess themselves, their communities, and the country as a whole and then decide how to move forward.

Mrs Grace Nelson (L), lead of the Sisters' delegation, First Lady Jeannette Kagame (C) and Eric Munyemana, Rwanda Leaders Fellowship Chairman at the Monthly Prayer Breakfast

"As a country, this (reconciliation) is the path we took to reassemble the pieces that were broken due to bad leadership that fostered poverty of minds and hearts, divisionism and hate, which culminated into the tragic Genocide against the Tutsi,” she said.

She said that reconciliation that leads to sustainable peace and development needs to go beyond repentance and forgiveness. "It should truly bring about sustained cohesion,” she explained.

"True reconciliation is reflected when individuals, communities and countries share a common vision; share a common responsibility to realise their vision; and accept to hold each other accountable,” she said.

The prayer breakfast was joined by different leaders in the country, including those from the Government, the clergy, and the private sector.

At the event, the First Lady, was joined by the ‘Sisters’, a group of women leaders, spouses of former Heads of State and spouses of leaders from around the world.

The Monthly Prayer Breakfast is an annual event organised by the Rwanda Leaders Fellowship. courtesy

Addressing the ‘Sisters’ in particular, Mrs. Kagame thanked them for visiting the country and for keeping Rwanda and Rwandans at the top of their minds and hearts.

"I value and appreciate your friendship and continued solidarity with the people of Rwanda,” she told them.

Representing the ‘Sisters’ delegation, Mrs. Grace Nelson from the United States of America, revealed the that members of her group have a lot to learn from Rwandans when it comes to reconciliation and governance.

"We are here to learn from you. You are ahead of us in so many things,” she said.

Looking at what Rwandans have achieved in the area of reconciliation and fight against injustice and corruption after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Mrs. Nelson described Rwanda as a "a miracle nation”.

While delivering his sermon at the event, Pastor Antoine Rutayisire of the Anglican Church testified about the ills of discrimination and hatred policies, using post-independence discriminatory governments of Grégoire Kayibanda and Juvénal Habyarimana in Rwanda as an example.

He lauded the post-genocide government over the last 25 years for nurturing unity and reconciliation and equally emphasised that the approach is crucial for sustainable development.

"If you want to achieve a lot, speak with one voice,” he said, preaching about the power of unity.

He said that reconciliation policies in post-genocide Rwanda have made the country a place that gives hope to every citizen because it’s a reconciled country.

"I have now lived 25 years where in my country we are intentionally going right,” he said, emphasising that reconciliation must be a result of an intentional political agenda.

"We are being treated equally and that’s what I like about the country now,” he said.

Organised by Rwanda Leaders Fellowship (RLF), a non-for-profit organisation, the Prayer Breakfast events bring together leaders in top positions for fellowship, to celebrate the country’s achievements and reflect on future milestones.

editor@newtimesrwanda.com