This year’s edition of the National Dialogue (Umushyikirano) did not disappoint and it gave tangible insight of what has been achieved in the last year. But most importantly, it underlined Rwanda’s resolve to chart its own course in the interests of its people, and it is paying off. During previous dialogues, self reliance has been the battle cry and that it could only be achieved with hard, selfless and dedicated work. As was revealed during the just ended dialogue, self reliance could be achieved sooner than later. In 2000, Rwanda’s budget financing depended on 70% from external sources. Today, the tables have turned; donor support has been reduced to just 38% and the target is to do away with it altogether. The government policies have not just been designed to achieve artificial results that do not benefit the mass, they have made positive impacts in all spheres of public life, health, education, social and financial services have seen massive improvements that makes the country Africa’s poster boy for good governance and sound economic policies. The theme of this year’s dialogue: Common Vision. New Momentum aptly portrays what should be the way forward to safeguard the achievements. Working in tandem and multiplying efforts to overcome all challenges will surely bring in more changes when the next Umushyikirano convenes. This is an exciting period, witnessing the transformation of a country that twenty years ago had been brought to its knees. The driving force has been the “Rwandan spirit” of resilience in the face of adversity, and from the look of things, it’s not about to go anywhere soon.
