The second presidential campaign this country has experienced since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, is now truly over and all we are waiting for is the swearing-in ceremony next month.

The president-elect Paul Kagame has been congratulated by all three of his erstwhile opponents; the Rwandan people have celebrated the landmark election and patted themselves on the back for a job well done.

During the campaigns many Rwandans took time off work to join in the occasion, many following the four candidates across the country as they canvassed for votes. After the results were announced, many Rwandans organised victory parties, which often involved entire neighbourhoods.

While the campaigns, and the resulting outcome, should be celebrated, we must remember that it was only through our collective hard work that this was all possible. Through our hard work, during the last seven years, we were able to register tremendous growth in the entire socio-economic spectrum.

This is extremely impressive, especially when one factors in the global economic downturn and what it meant for developing economies. We should be proud of ourselves.

However, it is time that we look forward. The party has to wind down. Let us knuckle down as we tackle all the obstacles that still lie in our way.

They are plentiful but we have shown that no obstacle is insurmountable for the Rwandan people, if they choose to confront it. 

Ends