The Social Democratic Party (PSD) will endeavor for the establishment of a one-year military service–also called the “national service–for young high school graduates”, according to its manifesto, when its parliamentary candidates get seats in the Chamber of Deputies. Its manifesto contains 60 proposals the party says are aimed to improve lives of Rwandans and contribute to the country’s progress. ALSO READ: PSD says to strive for matching pension with cost of living Speaking at a press conference, on July 12, PSD President Vincent Biruta said that it will be beneficial for the young secondary school graduates and the country’s sovereignty. The presser was meant to brief the media about the party’s electoral campaign trail since its launch on June 22 in Bugesera District. The campaign trail, covering all districts of the country, concludes on July 13 in Nyamirambo, Nyarugenge, at Club Rafiki. “Military service or providing military training to young high school graduates can have an added value to their mindset on the role the youth or every Rwandan should have in safeguarding the sovereignty of the country and in terms of patriotism,” he said. Such a move, Biruta said, is not only about acquiring shooting skills or military techniques, but that other lessons would be given, including civic education, patriotism, and the part everyone should play in safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and security. “We realize that it is something that can benefit Rwandans, especially the youth. Some of them can go on and join the army, but we say that even those who have not pursued the military career have basic knowledge, [and] in case they are needed to make a contribution to national defense, training them can be easy, expedited, such that the country has those to fight for it any time,” he observed. He said that soldiers have many good traits, citing that they march at the same pace at military parades, obeying orders they are given. He also observed that people who went through military courses tend to work together anytime – either in terms of protecting the country’s sovereignty or security or in terms of developing the country. ALSO READ: Itorero: A platform that empowers Rwandan youth While there already is a national Itorero programme, it is done for a short period–to provide civic education to young graduates, including military training to a lesser extent. Itorero is an initiative that seeks to promote the culture of serving the country as a way of instilling patriotism, positive values, responsibility and selfless service, especially among young people. Biruta indicated that the proposed service by PSD would be a way to provide a longer period of an entire year to enable the youth to get military training, civic education, “which can contribute to building a stable Rwandan in terms of ideas, but also in mindset for their responsibility to build the country and protect it, if need be.” Overall, he said that PSD campaign activities went well, and the turn up was good, expressing hope for more representation in Parliament for the party to further contribute to Rwanda’s development through the implementation of transformational ideas.
