Prime Minister Meles Zenawi put it aptly

It was the RPF under the leadership of Paul kagame that liberarated Rwanda. End of the story. The dust has settled at Amahoro Stadium and other venues where celebrations were held to mark the 15th anniversary of the liberation. The theme this year revolved around the achievements of the past as well as honouring fallen heroes who shed their blood to liberate the country. The road towards liberation was not smooth,: Obstacles were laid on its path and only the resilience and visionary RPF leadership ensured its success. As we honoured those who played a part in one way or another in our struggle, some may tend to think—as former president Habyarimana used to claim— that the engine that drove RPF success was fueled entirely by external help. True, some help was needed in one form or another, but there is one unsung hero that many tend to easily forget; the ordinary Munyarwanda. The RPF leasdership successfully mobilized the Rwandan people from within the country and the Diaspora and the response and participation was phenomenal. The diversity of the languages spoken on the front lines is testimony enough that Rwandans, wherever they lived, rose as one and heeded the call of their motherland. Those who could not fight physically, fought politically, financially or diplomatically, everyone had a specific role to play, that, when joined together, fitted like a Swiss timepiece and it was only a matter of time before victory came calling. As Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said after accepting honours bestowed upon him, he did not dispute that RPF got some kinds of external support, but the real credit should go to its resilience and never-say-die attitude under the leadership of President Kagame. Ends

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Prime Minister Meles Zenawi put it aptly