SEOUL - Rwandan Diaspora in South Korea and friends of Rwanda, on Tuesday, celebrated the 17th anniversary of Liberation at a colourful function held at the residence of the Rwandan Ambassador in Seoul.

Speaking at the event, Eugene Kayihura, Rwanda’s Ambassador to Korea reminded the participants of the situation in Rwanda before the liberation struggle and the difficulties those who fought for the country’s liberation went through.

He paid tribute to those who sacrificed their lives and challenged the audience, particularly students, to carry on the struggle.

"Your elder brothers and sisters shed their blood to liberate our country but that was one phase; the next phase requires you to put what you have learned in Korea and other parts of the world to liberate our people from poverty and ignorance, change their mindset for development in unity and shape the destiny of your country,” he told the gathering.

Kayihura congratulated the first batch of students who will soon be graduating from various universities in Korea and welcomed the new ones.

He cautioned those who completed their studies against loitering on the streets of Seoul and other cities searching for jobs but to go back home and continue the struggle for liberation by being change agents for development.

"Celebrating Liberation Day is a time to reflect on where we were as a nation 17 years ago, where we are today and where we want to be in the future. The liberation struggle ahead is for national development,” he stressed.        

Ends