The Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) members convened a general assembly on Saturday, June 22, in Geneva, Switzerland. This meeting, attended by party members from across the Swiss diaspora, coincided with the commencement of the presidential election campaigns. It provided an opportune moment for members in Switzerland to gather, discuss key issues, and align with the party&039;s overarching campaign strategy.
The assembly commenced with an address from Dr. Richard Mihigo, Chairperson of the RPF in Switzerland, who is spearheading the party’s campaign efforts within the diaspora. He elaborated on the campaign program of RPF candidate, Paul Kagame, stating, "Our candidate stands for continued progress and development, and it is our duty to support him.”
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The assembly featured a series of insightful discussions on various topics of national importance. Béatrice Kagabo, who leads the women’s section of the RPF Switzerland, emphasised the pivotal role of women in national development.
"Women have been and will continue to be the backbone of our nation’s growth. Empowering women is not just a goal, but a necessity for sustainable development.”
Iliza Ngendahimana, the head of the youth section of the RPF, highlighted the importance of preserving liberation gains and the vital role of youth in national progress. She emphasized that the youth are seen as the architects of the future and must be instilled with the values of liberation and encouraged to actively participate in shaping Rwanda's destiny.
Yves Cyaka, who is in charge of mobilisation in the party and President of the Rwandan Diaspora Community in Switzerland, stressed the importance of involving the younger generation in the political process.
"Parents have a crucial role in mobilizing young people, especially first-time voters, to actively participate in the elections,” he said, underscoring the value of youth engagement for Rwanda's future.
The audience actively engaged and shared important ideas on how electing Paul Kagame, the RPF candidate, would best support Rwanda’s development. They discussed various strategies and insights on how the current leadership could drive progress and continue to build on Rwanda's achievements.
James Ngango, the Ambassador of Rwanda to Switzerland, encouraged members of the Rwandan community in Switzerland to participate in large numbers in the elections, highlighting the significance of participation for diaspora members in shaping the country's future.
The diaspora are scheduled to vote on July 14.