To speak about Rwanda liberation struggle is not merely to recount battles fought with weapons. It is to remember broken families, abandoned dreams, the hardship of exile, and unbearable silence left by lives lost. It is to honor the men and women who carried the burden of a nation in their hearts long before victory was ever within reach.

For decades, many Rwandans lived as refugees in neighboring countries and beyond, and they were separated from the land they called home. Others remained inside Rwanda, enduring discrimination, exclusion, and fear. Yet despite all these hardships, the dream and spirit of a united, peaceful, and dignified Rwanda never died.

Then came 1994, one of the darkest chapters in human history. During the Genocide against the Tutsi, more than one million innocent lives were brutally taken in just 100 days. While much of the international community failed to intervene, the RPA fought to stop the genocide and rescue a nation from total destruction.

Rwanda Liberation came at an immeasurable cost. Many brave men and women sacrificed their youth, their loved ones and families, and, for many, their lives. Yet from unimaginable tragedy emerged a renewed determination to rebuild Rwanda on the foundations of unity, reconciliation, and shared nationhood responsibility.

Three decades later, Rwanda’s transformation speaks for itself. The economy has maintained strong growth for much of the post-liberation period, averaging around 7–8 percent annually. Life expectancy has risen from around 28 years in the aftermath of the genocide to nearly 70 years today. Poverty has declined significantly, access to electricity has expanded dramatically, and primary school enrolment is universal. Rwanda has become a continental leader in ICT, offering digital public services that have transformed how citizens access government. The country’s modern road network connects communities across the nation, supporting trade, tourism, and rural development. Rwanda is also consistently recognized as one of Africa’s least corrupt countries, reflecting a strong commitment to accountability and effective service delivery. Above all, the country has rebuilt trust among its people through reconciliation and a shared commitment to national unity, proving that even the deepest wounds can begin to heal through visionary leadership and collective determination.

Rwanda’s journey, however, is not without challenges. The ideology that led to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi has not disappeared entirely, and its persistence in the Great Lakes Region and beyond remains a reminder that peace can not be taken for granted, and should we lower down our guard in safeguarding our achievements, the devil at the door is waiting to finish its mission. FDLR and some leaders associated with its ideology continue to pose a threat to Rwanda’s security, stability and development. These realities underscore the importance of responsible leadership, that is fearless, accountable and committed to the core values of liberation. Rwanda’s experience demonstrates that lasting peace and development are inseparable from security, unity, and visionary leadership.

The Rwanda of today is not perfect, but it is peaceful, secure, ambitious, and forward-looking. The scars of history remain, but they no longer define the limits of the nation’s future. Instead, they remind every Rwandan of the responsibility to safeguard unity, reject division and genocide ideology, and continue building a country where every citizen has the opportunity to contribute and belong.

The spirit of liberation now lives beyond the battlefield. It is found in classrooms where children learn together, in hospitals that save lives, in innovators creating solutions for tomorrow, in public servants driven by integrity, professionalism, and accountability, and in young Rwandans who dream without fear. Liberation was not the end of the struggle, it was the beginning of rebuilding a nation from ruins into hope and dignity.

To the young generation: you are the custodians of this legacy. Many of you did not witness exile, war, or genocide, but you have inherited the responsibility to protect what was so dearly won. Guard Rwanda’s unity. Work with integrity. Pursue excellence through education, innovation, and service. Never take peace for granted, for it was purchased through extraordinary sacrifice.

As we commemorate liberation of Rwanda, we express our deepest gratitude to every man and woman of the RPF/RPA who gave everything so that future generations could live in peace, dignity, and freedom. Their courage changed the course of our history and restored hope to a nation that many believed had been lost forever.

Rwandans profound appreciation goes to His Excellency, President Paul Kagame, whose leadership during the liberation struggle and throughout Rwanda’s reconstruction has guided the country through one of the most complex and challenging chapters in its history.

Leading a nation from genocide and devastation to peace, stability, reconciliation, and remarkable development required exceptional courage, resilience, vision, and unwavering commitment. His leadership, together with the sacrifices of other patriots, has helped lay the foundation for the Rwanda we see and enjoy today.

Fellow Rwandans, particularly the younger generation, never forget where we came from. Let us altogether honor those who sacrificed for our freedom, and continue building Rwanda defined by unity, dignity, innovation, and accountability. Rwanda that reflects the hope and dignity for which so many gave their lives.

Happy 32nd Liberation Day