Rwanda’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Hope Tumukunde Gasatura, has thanked the government and the people of Ethiopia for their unwavering support during Rwanda’s struggle for liberation.
Tumukunde said this as more than 600 Rwandans and friends of Rwanda gathered last week at the Chancery of the Embassy of Rwanda in Addis Ababa to celebrate the 24th anniversary of the Liberation of Rwanda.
A press release by the embassy says that the event attracted more than 200 guests who included the diplomatic corps, representatives of international organisations and military officials turned up to pay tribute to the brave men and women who stopped the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and liberated Rwanda.
"Liberation day is also a time to celebrate a new Rwanda, which has forged values of dignity and resilience among its citizens, enabling them to transform their country from a conflict case study to a humble model of stability, good governance and development,” Tumukunde said.
Recalling the Liberation journey, the Ambassador thanked the representatives of friendly countries and partners who continuously supported and accompanied Rwanda at both multilateral and bilateral level.
The guest of honour representing the Government of Ethiopia was the Ethiopian State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hirut Zemene, who acclaimed Rwanda’s success.
Minister Zemene congratulated the people of Rwanda for the extraordinary achievements registered under the transformative leadership of President Paul Kagame.
"She also said that Rwanda and Ethiopia enjoy exceptional relationship and that this continued to benefit the two countries in a number of fields. She also applauded the recent state visit to Ethiopia by President Paul Kagame to Ethiopia,” reads part of the press release.
For the embassy of Rwanda, it was also an opportunity to thank the Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives to the African Union for their presence and support during Rwanda AU Chairmanship.
The event was marked with traditional dances performed by a group of students enrolled at the Air Force College in Ethiopia.
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