Over 1,000 Rwandans and friends of Rwanda from across the UK on Saturday, July 27, gathered at The Royal Regency in London to celebrate Liberation Day. In London, Kwibohora 30 kicked off in the morning with a highly anticipated Liberation Cup tournament, a sports competition that brings together Rwandan youths from across the UK every two years. This year's final saw the Midlands community go head-to-head against London, with the Midlands team triumphing with a 2-1 victory. The celebration was filled with pride and joy as attendees reflected on Rwanda's remarkable progress and their contributions to the country's development. Traditional dance, music, and speeches highlighted the event, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere. ALSO READ: Why many Rwandans living in diaspora travelled back home to vote In his speech, Rwanda's High Commissioner to the UK, Johnston Busingye, said: “I was so happy and proud to see Rwandans from all over the UK exercise their rights to vote in London, Coventry, Manchester, and Glasgow. “Many of you travelled long hours and made it a point to vote, showcasing your dedication and love for our nation. Though we are not a large community here in the UK, our passion for our country and culture is immense.” Busingye noted that true liberation for the diaspora means embracing togetherness, cultivating synergy, and committing to investment and development at both individual and national levels. ALSO READ: High voter turnout as Diaspora polls close “Those of you with bankable projects, investment ideas, tech startups trade and business ideas, please show up. We need to be a diaspora characterised by constant growth in education, investment, financial security. Your remittances matter, aim for more and more. That’s how we develop our country. Today bank experts and real estate professionals travelled here and are ready to assist you with any ideas you have. If you have an investible idea and believe you are ready, now is the time to step forward.” Celebrations in Ghana, Russia Rwandans in Ghana and Russia on Friday, July 26, celebrated their country’s Liberation Day, along with members of the diplomatic corps, officials of the government of their respective host countries, and friends of Rwanda. In Accra, Ghana, more than 300 people convened to celebrate 30 years of Rwanda’s liberation, or Kwibohora30. Ghana’s Deputy Minister of Local Government, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, represented the Government of Ghana at the celebration. Made-In-Rwanda products such as Akabanga chilli oil, Rwandan tea and coffee, and fabrics, were exhibited during the event held at the Chancery of the High Commission of Rwanda in Accra. According to the High Commission, it was also an opportunity to showcase RwandAir services. Liberation Day, which is celebrated in Rwanda on July 4, is celebrated by Rwandans living abroad throughout the month of July. It is an important national day to reflect on Rwanda’s liberation journey, ever since the country overcame the evil of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, making a remarkable turnaround over the past 30 years. The High Commissioner of Rwanda in Ghana, Rosemary Mbabazi, chronicled events that led to the Genocide against the Tutsi, reflected on its root causes, and shared the journey of Rwanda's liberation struggle which ended the genocide. She said: “The last three decades have been redefining and revolutionary in all aspects of Rwanda’s life, irrevocably transforming us for the better. Rwandans enjoy equal access to resources and opportunities on merit.” Assafuah paid tribute to the heroes who sacrificed a lot to liberate Rwanda, saying: “We recognize the invaluable contributions of His Excellency President Paul Kagame, whose dedication and visionary leadership have been instrumental in driving Rwanda’s economic and social transformation.” “Let us reaffirm our collective dedication to upholding the principles of justice, equality and solidarity that form the cornerstone of a free and prosperous society. Let us commit ourselves to supporting Rwanda in its endeavour to build a nation based on the values of unity, reconciliation and sustainable development.” Thousands of miles away, in the Russian Federation, more than 150 Rwandans, diplomats, and friends of Rwanda celebrated the 30th anniversary of Rwanda’s Liberation Day, on Friday. In his message, the Ambassador of Rwanda to the Russian Federation, Lt Gen (Rtd) Frank Mushyo Kamanzi, paid homage to the Rwandan Patriotic Army for liberating the country and honored those who paid the ultimate price for the cause. The Ambassador said that Rwandans, among others, appreciate the country’s army and security forces for keeping the country safe and peaceful and, their continued contribution to the wellbeing of Rwandans and the socio-economic development of the country. The Ambassador underscored that under the leadership of President Paul Kagame and the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi), and thanks to the resilience of Rwandans, after stopping the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, “we embarked on a journey of healing, rebuilding and development and today, our country has registered remarkable milestones in good governance and social-economic development.” He noted that Rwandans choose unity by promoting national reconciliation and accountability at all levels of governance and society, a journey that continues. He urged the young generation to rise to the occasion by protecting and sustaining the achievements that have been registered, and take the development of the country to the next level. Andrei Ivanovich Stolyarov, the Deputy Director of the African affairs department in the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that in the past 30 years, Rwanda managed to put an end to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and was able to reconcile the nation, restore peace and security, overcome the socio-economic consequences of the tragedy, and significantly advance towards achieving sustainable development. He recalled that in October 2023, both countries celebrated the 60th anniversary of their interstate diplomatic relations. Interstate relations between Russia and Rwanda have reached a level of fruitful cooperation and deep understanding, aiming to further build interactions in politics, trade, economy, and other areas. Stolyarov congratulated Rwandans for the 30th Anniversary of Liberation Day and affirmed that the cooperation between Rwanda and Russia will continue to develop for the benefit of the people of both countries in the interest of strengthening peace and security on the African continent.
