The Embassy of Rwanda in Ethiopia together with the Rwandan community in the country, diplomats and friends of Rwanda, on Friday July 23 celebrated the 28th anniversary of Rwanda’s Liberation Day.
The event was held at the Rwandan Embassy Chancery with a high turn up of close to 200 people.
The Liberation Day is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the bravery and selflessness of the men and women of the RPF-Inkotanyi, under the visionary leadership and command of President Paul Kagame, who fought tirelessly for over four years to liberate Rwanda and stopped the Genocide against the Tutsi that claimed more than a million innocent lives in 100 days.
In her remarks, Hope Tumukunde Gasatura, the Rwandan Ambassador to Ethiopia, lauded the bravery of the men and women of the then Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA) who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the struggle to liberate Rwanda.
She further explained why Rwanda celebrates its independence day concurrently with its liberation as true independence was only delivered by the completion of Rwanda’s liberation struggle on July 4, 1994.
Independence Day falls on July 1.
Tumukunde also expressed special gratitude to President Kagame whom she said not only stopped Genocide but also led the rebirth and social-economic transformation of the country and established its dignity "agaciro” in the international arena.
She added that "Rwanda is now a beacon of hope to many Rwandans and indeed to the world as lessons of our reconciliation and reconstruction continue to inspire many and has led to AU as well as International trust in Rwanda such that the Executive Council on July 15, 2022, to vote Rwanda to host the African Medicines Agency (AMA) which is one of the important specialized agencies of the AU.”
She called on the Rwandan Community in Ethiopia to strive to uphold the patriotic and brave values they have learned from the men and women of the RPA and thanked all the guests, their countries and organizations for the continued solidarity and friendship.
The Deputy Director General for Africa in Ethiopia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs represented the Ethiopian government during the event.
He congratulated Rwanda on its Liberation Day and saluted the good brotherly relations between the country and Ethiopia.
He also thanked the Ethiopian peacekeepers who were in Rwanda and contributed to peacekeeping in the country.
He ended his remarks by reiterating that indeed "Together we prosper”.
According to a statement from the embassy, the celebrations were also marked by Rwanda’s traditional dance performance where members of the diplomatic corps, Rwandans and friends of Rwanda had an opportunity to join in the dance to Rwandan music and celebrated the special occasion in a warm and friendly ambience.