Liberation struggle spirit must live on

Editor, Reference is made to the article, “No one owes you anything, Kagame tells RPF cadres” (The New Times, September 1). Freedom is thought and fought for. When RPF was born in 1987 from the mother party RANU (Rwandese Alliance for National Unity) of 1979, the refugee status in Uganda and other neighbouring countries was very harsh to the extent that even the newborns were called refugees. Now, freedom of the mind, born of challenges Rwandans faced while in exile brought in the urge for peace and commencement of the struggle. However, the struggle for freedom was not just picking up arms to fight the enemy at the time but rather it has continued to evolve. We could not have attained freedom without thinking about it. This ideology was there before 1987 up to the commencement of the struggle and it did not end there; it still lives within us. As people shared this idea and came together, a wider and broader idea was born to foster unity and fight for a common good. This common good was to liberate Rwandans in and outside Rwanda and bring peace to the country. It was through sacrifice, determination and shading of blood. More importantly to note is that the struggle for freedom did not end by capturing power from genocidaires, but it does continue to fight invisible wars. These vices within society need more attention if we are to be liberated fully, for the majority, if not all, are as a result of mindsets. Poverty, corruption, ignorance, health…are to me ‘mindset diseases’ that call for an improved quality of thought. We need to create a mindset focused on dignity and self-reliance that calls for homegrown solutions to create mutual understanding for prosperity with collectiveness of ideas to overcome emotions. It is a historical requirement as RPF to keep morale high, work together and put in place programmes that foster awareness if we are to change further and think more progressively Only the dead have seen the end of war. The struggle continues. David Nkusi, Rwanda

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Liberation struggle spirit must live on