Today we come to the end of our period of commemoration, and celebrate the liberation of our country. I want to thank all of our guests and friends who have joined us on this special day. Rwandans today are better and stronger than we have ever been. We keep marching forward, like the men and women of our defence and security forces, who have just paraded before us. Three decades ago, this building was the site of refuge and rescue. From the surrounding neighbourhoods, Rwandans flowed here for safety. And many were saved, thanks to the Rwandan Patriotic Army, an act that was repeated countless times, all across our country. On July the 4th, we express our thanks to those who liberated Rwanda, and remember those who gave their lives. Our army and security forces are a powerful symbol of unity and safety. In opinion surveys ranking trust in public institutions, Rwandans consistently rate our security forces among the highest. That is no accident. After the genocide, the first encounter that most Rwandans had with the new authorities, was with our army. The situation in the country was still extremely tense and dangerous. Yet, our forces did everything in their power to treat all Rwandans with professionalism and humanity, setting the tone of everything that followed. Even today, they remain close to the community, and invest in projects that matter to our development, such as infrastructure and medical services. This pact of trust, which we call igihango, is indeed the solid foundation upon which our country was rebuilt. It was not easy. Remaining principled and consistent is hard, very difficult. But that product of doing hard things is absolutely beautiful. By nature, Rwanda’s security posture has always been defensive, not offensive. We only act when trouble is brought on us. We prioritize cooperation and working together. Rwanda seeks peace, for ourselves and for everyone in our region. We know the value of peace, just as well as anyone else, maybe even more. Where there is a need for humanitarian action, Rwanda will not be absent. But the only real answer to any humanitarian crisis is to fix the root cause of the political problem. Humanitarian response cannot substitute for political solutions. If we had not changed that formula here in Rwanda, for sure our country would still be under a United Nations peacekeeping force, divided and destitute. Liberation cannot be imposed on people by force or fear. It is unlocked by a free choice, that each citizen makes in their heart. Because Rwandans, with very few exceptions, have freely made this choice, our country is at peace, and will remain at peace, no matter what. Rwanda’s uniqueness only grows more notable with time. We have shattered every negative taboo and assumption about being Rwandan. Our politics today is based on accountability and ambition. It is a way for all Rwandans to lead a better life. Politics is no longer a tool to exclude and harm each other. We respect our government, but we do not fear it, because it serves all of us without distinction. A few people outside still do not understand Rwandans. Some of them even try to spoil what we are building, and we see it. But all those negative efforts produce no results. They are just words on the internet, or statements somewhere from different high offices, with no power over us at all. The values Rwandans have are now part of us. There is nobody and nothing powerful enough to take that away from us. The endpoint of the liberation struggle was to build a state in which each of us is valued, and citizens are always at the center of government action. Even though Rwandans have made huge strides towards this mindset, we must remain vigilant. I am addressing this message in particular to Rwanda’s young people, especially those born over the last thirty years. This country is yours to protect, defend, and make prosperous. It is worth repeating that real liberation only begins when the guns fall silent. We began that stage thirty years ago, and we are counting on you, the liberation generation, to take us further. Rwanda’s struggle today has a bigger scope than just surviving. It is about living well, with success. Succeeding against poverty, dependence, and indignity. Succeeding as an upright nation of Africans who play our part to build a better continent and a fairer world. You have the freedom and the opportunity to live the lives you want. But wherever your life takes you, remember your duty to uphold the good politics we have built. Speak up, take part, and give back. Those are the civic values that we want to define the next generation of Rwandans. I wish you a happy Liberation Day, and may God bless us all. I thank you.
