Rwanda continues to suffer the grave effects of colonialism, which brought division and hatred, encouraged by Western countries and successive post-independence governments.
Hatred against one ethnic group became evident in the 1950s, gradually worsening over the years and ultimately leading to the extermination of one group during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Over a million innocent lives were cut shot in a systematic massacre that lasted just under 100 days.
The international community stood by and did nothing, choosing to focus on their own interests rather than protecting Rwandans, most likely because they were not seen as worthy of their intervention.
United under the former Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPA), now the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), Rwandans saved their nation and stopped the genocide while the world watched. While a million was killed, they managed to salvage the lives of some survivors across the country, and they have thrived, against the odds stacked against them.
There were many predictions about Rwanda’s fate after the genocide, including expectations that it would become a failed state perpetually dependent on humanitarian aid and relief programmes. There was no hope for unity, and recovery seemed impossible. They were all proven wrong.
Unfortunately, recent accusations regarding Rwanda’s role in the eastern DR Congo conflict show that some countries still want to see the country destabilised. Over the years, Rwanda has not only had to recover from genocide but has also faced multiple external efforts to weaken it.
Despite these challenges, Rwanda has focused on self-determination, making its own choices in democracy, and setting national priorities for socio-economic transformation and prosperity.
To achieve these goals, a unified government was established, and a new vision was set, leading to Rwanda’s remarkable transformation and political stability, a situation the country had never enjoyed since colonial times.
The establishment of strong governance and economic systems has helped Rwanda become efficient and self-reliant, introducing strategic solutions that address its internal challenges.
No country has been more transparent about its economic strategies than Rwanda, most especially in accounting for every dollar provided by her development partners. The World Bank and International Monetary Fund reports have closely followed Rwanda’s economic progress, and several countries have sent delegations to learn from its best practices.
The Rwandan model promotes unity, reconciliation, and peace as the foundation for sustainable development. These remain critical in rebuilding a society that was once torn apart by division.
Today, Rwandan values and societal norms have been restored, shaping the country's future.
Moreover, Rwanda has diligently fulfilled its global, regional, and national obligations, including supporting the implementation of the African Union Agenda 2063, global goals like the Sustainable Development Goals, contributing to climate change relief efforts, and responding to global crises such as Covid-19 and the Marburg virus.
Rwanda is among the top-performing countries in UN peacekeeping missions and is praised for its role in stabilising conflict zones such as South Sudan, the Central African Republic, and Mozambique.
The shift in global politics and the pursuit of political interests have justified conflicts in places like Russia and Ukraine, Palestine and Israel, and the DR Congo. These changes have made Rwanda vulnerable, just like many other nations.
However, in the case of Rwanda and DR Congo, the world once again seems to prioritise interests over truth and humanity.
Despite the challenges, Rwanda remains resilient. Strong leadership, a united people, and efficient systems ensure the country stands firm in protecting its borders and citizens. Rwanda has actively participated in regional peace dialogues, including the Luanda and Nairobi processes, demonstrating a commitment to finding lasting solutions for DR Congo.
Rwanda’s diplomatic missions have also played a key role in explaining the root causes of the DR Congo crisis and expressing a willingness to support peaceful resolutions.
Any country that does not understand Rwanda’s position in this conflict either lacks knowledge of the issue or deliberately chooses to side with the DR Congo government to protect its interests.
Rwanda has consistently highlighted the mistreatment of Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese and the security threat posed by the FDLR, a genocidal and terrorist group protected by the DR Congo government.
Rwanda’s goal in these discussions is to pursue peace and maintain good relations with its neighbors. However, these negotiations must consider both perspectives, respecting the rights of all nations and examining the impact of war on both sides.
Ignoring these realities will only lead to further confusion and destruction. Rwanda remains committed to participating in efforts to resolve the long-standing security issues in DR Congo out of goodwill.
The world must acknowledge that Rwanda’s survival does not depend solely on the situation in Eastern DR Congo. Rwanda has ambitions that require strong actions and resources to achieve.
Crises will always exist, as history has shown. However, Rwanda is prepared to face whatever challenges come its way and continue its path toward development and stability. However, it is also a clarion call for all of us to steadfastly work with our leadership to wade through this as a collective.