The Chairman of Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF), President Paul Kagame, has called on the party members to remain focused on the party’s goal of maintaining the progress the country has registered and continually work to improve the wellbeing of all the Rwandan people.

The President was speaking at the RPF Bureau Politique meeting convened to select the party’s representatives in next month’s legislative elections.

Kagame pointed out that while a lot has been achieved, the journey ahead remains long and the party cannot afford to lose steam. He urged the members to build on the achievements and ensure sustainability of the progress.

"The foundation of RPF is about facing our challenges. RPF must set itself apart. We must ask more from ourselves. We must deliver on our promises and work together as one party to achieve our targets,” he emphasised.

The President further cautioned the party faithful against complacency.

Stand up 

"The struggle continues in different forms. We cannot afford to become complacent. Complacency will not solve genocide ideology or poverty. Complacency will not provide security for all Rwandans or build our future for us.”

President Kagame pointed to the injustice and incoherence sometimes inherent in international assistance and urged RPF members to stand up for themselves and their nation:

"They say they want us to move forward but when we do, we are punished for it as if we have committed a crime. They tell us they are here to help us develop but when we take a step forward, we are told we are not meant to think for ourselves or do anything on our own. We should not allow ourselves to drift along. We should stop, think and be empowered to continue on the trajectory of progress.”

In preparation for the upcoming election scheduled for September 16, the meeting approved the list of 72 contestants who will run on the RPF ticket.

Eight seats were reserved for the four parties that are in coalition with the RPF. 

The meeting also approved an amended constitution for the RPF, established new autonomy for youth and women wings and approved the manifesto for the year 2013-2017.

The manifesto which builds upon the RPF achievements of the past twenty years aims to build a Rwanda defined by socio-economic development and inclusive governance that gives every Rwandan the right to shape their own future, party officials say.