Rwanda yesterday marked its 50 years of Independence and 18 years of Liberation. Most African countries gained Independence at the same time. But none has walked down the same road as Rwanda. Fifty years on, African nations face more or less the same challenges.Africans will wonder why their countries lag way behind the other parts of the world, including the Asian Tigers, which were almost at the same level of economic development as us 50 years ago.Yesterday, Rwandans also marked 18 years of Liberation – an event which normally falls on July 4. Liberation delivered to Rwandans what they had failed to get from Independence.The values of Liberation should live on. We should never allow individual selfish interests to overcome the collective good of the people and nation.The successive generations must ensure that those who paid the ultimate price for this country’s Liberation and Independence did not die in vain.As we reflect on how far we have come, where we are and as we look forward to a bright future, we should jealously guard the same ingredients that have brought us this far.They include respect for one another, dignity, inclusive governance, justice and rule of law, reconciliation, accountability, sacrifice, and investment in human capital.Yet there remains the enormous task of social sustainable economic development. La luta continua.