Thousands of people turned up, on Wednesday, to honour Rwandan politicians who were killed by the genocidal regime and are now buried at Mount Rebero in Kicukiro District.

The politicians were killed because they opposed Juvenal Habyarimana's divisive and oppressive government.

Habyarimana’s government was intolerant and dismissive of those who did not comply with its destructive policies that culminated in the loss of innocent lives, including the politicians.

Instead of uniting Rwandans, Habyarimana divided them. He surrounded himself with a clique that had similar destructive views. Power and authority lay in the hands of a few, with the general population deprived of a voice.

As we remember these politicians and the over one million innocent Rwandans killed by the Genocidal regimes, let us stand firm and work towards restoring our dignity and strengthen our democratic institutions.

Rwandans today are more united than ever, with equal rights and governed by the rule of law. Right from the grassroots to the highest level, people have a voice and elect their leaders freely.

It is such ideals and policies that the politicians were advocating. As we pay tribute to the victims, let us value and protect the hard earned freedoms from detractors who attempt to take us back to the dark days.

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