The Rwandan community in Sweden on Thursday, July, 8, held the official Liberation Day (Kwibohora 27) celebration, an event that took place at the Stockholm Waterfront Congress Centre.
The celebrations were attended by representatives from the Swedish government, members of the diplomatic corps, Rwandans, and friends of Rwanda.
Deputy Director-General and Head of Africa Department, Amb. Irina Schoulgin Nyoni commended Rwanda’s achievements in different areas of common interest with her country, citing gender equality, environmental sustainability, ICT and Innovation among others.
She added that there is more in stock for the two countries in terms of advancing bilateral ties.
"Rwanda and Sweden’s relations started with humanitarian support after the Genocide against the Tutsi but it has grown deeper and broader ever since into trade, academia, sports and the arts,” she said. She added that there is a growing interest from the Swedish business community in working in Rwanda.
In her remarks, Rwandan Ambassador to Sweden, Christine Nkulikiyinka told attendees that Rwanda’s Liberation is a day that marked in pride by all Rwandans owing their freedoms to the heroism and bravery of RPA soldiers.
She pointed out that the liberators were still young and gave their lives on the battlefield so that all Rwandans could regain dignity, and enjoy peace and unity as it is today.
"We will eternally be thankful to the women and men who fought to liberate our country, so we could one day have peace and unity at home, in Rwanda,” she said, paying a special tribute to the young men and women of Rwanda Patriotic Army, who liberated the country.
She added: "On this Liberation Day we celebrate a unique turning point in our country’s history: the creation of a new Rwanda, where ethnic divisionism and discrimination no longer exist.
"When we celebrate our Liberation and our liberators, we renew our commitment and promise that their sacrifices were not in vain,” she said.
Nkulikiyinka highlighted that currently, Rwandans are proud to stand together in unity and work hard every day to build the country we want for future generations. A Rwanda that values its citizens, their rights and provides the quality of life they deserve.
"During the last two decades, we achieved strong economic growth and substantial improvements in living standards and we have now embarked on the transformation journey of Rwanda as stated in our vision 2050. We achieved all this by building strong institutions to reinforce the rule of law, respect of human rights as well as economic and social improvement of every single Rwandans,” added Ambassador Nkulikiyinka.
She called on Rwandans to strengthen the achievements of Rwanda even more in order to ensure the preservation of the progress and gains acquired in the last 27 years.
Nkulikiyinka who is soon completing her tour of duty commended the Swedish government for standing with Rwandans in their efforts to build a country they are proud of.
President Paul Kagame recently appointed former health minister Dr Diane Gashumba as the new ambassador to the Kingdom of Sweden but she is yet to assume office.
Amb. Nkulikiyinka.
Amb. Irina.