While Rwanda has made gains in fostering unity after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi that claimed lives and devastated the country's social fabric, some people want to stand in the way of such a progress, President Paul Kagame has said, warning them they face consequences for that. He made the remarks on Saturday, November 16, at the 17th forum of Unity Club Intwararumuri. Unity Club is an organisation made up of the country's members of the cabinet - present and past - and their spouses. Kagame said that significant progress has been registered after the Genocide, but pointed out that there were still challenges to deal with. Until now, Kagame said, there are people who are still being victims of who they are for the the same reason others were killed before 30 years ago -- during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi — referring to the fact that some perpetrators want to repeat the same atrocities. He stated that such heinous acts should not be normalised, observing that even though one of such cases happens nowadays, it would mean much, considering the period that has elapsed after the Genocide that claimed over a million lives. Indeed, he said, none of such cases should occur, adding that those who sneak through and harm other because of who they are, “their days are numbered.” He said that there are some perpetrators who are out there, some of whom were released on clemency but who abuse this previlage and continue formetting the same crimes they were convicted for. According to him, the clemency had been extended to them in an effort to see if they can change their ways, rehabilitate and become decent citizens. However, he said, some have chosen to continue with the bad habit and are cheered on by some foreigners who describe them as great people who fight for democracy. But, concerning the matter of the life of our country, and Rwandans, where we have come from and where we want to go, there are limits to attempts to destabilise them, he said. The President pointed to scaling up effort to deal with them, saying that those who want to heed his advice will do it, while those who don't want to, won't. Redeeming the past Kagame said that the country was in the struggle to redeem its image that was tarnished by the bad past it experienced, which culminated into the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Though some people for Rwanda its progress after the Genocide, he said there are those who still think it is only the same country where the Genocide was committed 30 years ago. Despite the fact that “we will live with that colour for a long time,” the President said the issue can be lessened through “the good actions we do that change the lives of Rwandans.” He stated he does not see a reason Rwanda cannot achieve the goal to be a harmonious and inclusive country which Rwandans feel proud of. Unity Club Intwararumuri was founded, and is led, by First Lady Jeannette Kagame in 1996, and one of its key missions is to champion national unity and cohesion as the foundation of the country's sustainable development. To the leaders present, Kagame called for transformation to be able to turn around the country from the bad past it experienced right from colonial times. We must change in our hearts and the way we do things. That is what is essential and fundamental so that the history that once defined us disappears, fades away and vanishes, he said. He said that when people unite like what Unity Club represents, that unity reflects a broader goal for the country, and must be felt in the whole country.
