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Yann Gwet, 39, is one of the three people that were granted Rwandan nationality last week, February 2, thanks to the amended law governing Rwandan nationality.

The law now offers preferential treatment to people with special skills, talents, and with substantial investments that are needed in the country.

In an interview with The New Times’ Lavie Mutanganshuro, Gwet among others explains how he came to Rwanda, what getting the country’s nationality means to him and how significant it will be going forward.

Below are excerpts:

If you may, please begin with a brief introduction of yourself

I am a Cameroonian by birth, a husband, and a father of two children. We have been living in Rwanda since 2016.

I am a lecturer at the University of Rwanda, a journalist and an author. I’ve been doing journalism for close to eight years now.

I have a Master’s Degree in Finance, from Sciences Po, France.

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When was your first time in Rwanda?

My first time in Rwanda was in 2016 when I was working as a journalist at Jeune Afrique at the time.

When I arrived here, I was surprised because when I was a student, around 2004, I had read a book by a French journalist about the genocide against the Tutsi and was shocked, with no idea that Rwanda would recover from it.

However, years after reading the book, I read different news about the country and felt like coming over here to see what the reality was.

Months after my first visit, I got other opportunities to come back, with the same idea of understanding how the country recovered from all tragedies it went through.

Coming to Rwanda after many years of reading about the country, what was the difference between what you had in mind and the reality?

Different from today, back then, when someone would hear that you are visiting Rwanda, they would tell you to be careful because they viewed the country through the lenses of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.

However, personally, I had read a lot about the country and knew that Rwanda was safer than many countries, at least in Africa, and therefore was not afraid of anything.

Arriving here, it was obvious to me that indeed a lot had changed, compared to the book I had read about what had happened in 1994.

Why did you apply for Rwandan nationality?

Rwanda matters a lot to me because of three things. First, it means sacrifice that always goes with greatness. Secondly, Rwanda means genuine hope that is rooted in actual achievement, and the third one is resilience. Seeing these three things that I highly value, in the time I spent here, I felt the need to be part of the journey.

A few days ago, you officially became a Rwandan. How did you receive this?

It was a Monday and I was a bit tired after a long day of teaching a journalism class at the University of Rwanda, Huye Campus. While preparing for the next day’s class, I started receiving messages and calls. And that’s how I became aware of the news. Of course, I was very happy, and so was my family.

What do you think the Rwandan nationality will help you going forward?

In a short term, I think I will not need to renew my visa, which is something significant. Besides that, I think I will continue doing most of the things I was doing on a daily basis.

Most notably, personally, getting a nationality came with a sense of duty, which was there before, but of course, it is different now. So, I feel a sense of responsibility to live up to the trust bestowed in me.

Anything you would like to add as we wind-up?

I’m just grateful to the government, and Rwandans who are now compatriots. I have been blessed by a lot of support and kindness by Rwandans. I hope that I will be a useful citizen.