More than a month after the government created the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement, the President has named Jean-Damascène Bizimana as the first person to head the newly established portfolio. He also picked the first Permanent Secretary of the ministry. The new ministry is widely seen as a welcome addition to progress that has been made over the years in the area of unity and reconciliation, preservation of national heritage and values, as well as nurturing and engaging young generations in matters of nation-building. Unity of citizens is one of the most important pillars of Rwanda’s rebirth and development agenda and tops the list of Rwanda Patriotic Front-Inkotanyi’s nine-point programme that guided the liberation war. Indeed, Rwandans have been able to achieve a lot together thanks to emphasis on unity and reconciliation from the days that followed the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. This has allowed the country to tackle other challenges, from poverty to healthcare and education needs. The creation of the ministry twenty-seven years after the Genocide is a demonstration of the enduring commitment to the unity of the people of Rwanda and confidence in their capabilities working together to develop their communities and country. The new institution can only build on what Rwandans have already achieved in this area, with a special focus on the youth, to ensure sustainability of the fruits of unity of Rwandans. Yet, the ministry is no silver bullet. It can only succeed in its mission with the support and involvement of Rwandans, home and abroad. It is important to understand that unity will continue to be the backbone of national progress. The new institutional framework, which will definitely be instrumental in offering policy guidance in unity matters and inspiring a sense of nationhood, is therefore an important step toward consolidating the values and gains that served us well over the years.
