NORTHERN PROVINCE

GICUMBI — The minister for Cabinet Affairs, Dr. Charles Murigande has called upon Rwandans to desist from fuelling ethnic hatred.

He said it retards development and undermines unity of Rwandans. The minister was officiating at Gicumbi Liberation Day celebrations in Manyagiro Sector on Friday.

"Rwandans should not be divided along ethnic lines because they share the same language and culture,” he said.

The minister explained that colonialists encouraged ethnic division among Rwandans in order to apply their policy of divide and rule.

Bonane Nyangezi, the district Mayor called upon residents to adhere to this year’s Liberation day theme which calls upon all Rwandans to change their attitudes and actions for the better development of Rwanda.

He reminded the residents of Rwanda’s major development pillars which include; good governance, economic revolution and justice for all among others.

"Effects of bad governance and ethnic division caused genocide and created poverty among Rwandans,” said Nyangezi, urguing residents to uproot genocide ideology right from their families. He urged parents to groom children into peace loving and responsible citizens.

Mayor Nyangezi further called upon residents to work hard in improving their economic status by applying modern agriculture and livestock farming methods.

He also urged residents to control soil erosion by constructing terraces, form cooperative societies and settle in organised villages "midugudu.”

Lt.Colonel Willy Bagabe, of the 408 Brigade of RDF, noted that the success of the liberation struggle could be attributed to the cooperation of Rwandan people with then Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA).

"RDF achievements are attributed to their cooperation with the people,” said Lt. Bagabe.

Also present were religious leaders, National Police representative and heads of Secondary and Primary Schools among others.

Ends