The Minister of Youth and Arts, Abdallah Utumatwishima, has urged Rwandan youth to learn about the country's history and the nine obligations of the RPF-Inkotanyi party.
With over 65% of the population under 30, many Rwandans were born after the Genocide, highlighting the need for youth to understand the country's history which was marked by RPF-Inkotanyi struggle to liberate the country and stop the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The call to understand the nine obligations of RPF-Inkotanyi was made during the "Rubyiruko Menya Amateka Yawe” campaign, held on March 28, at the National Ubutore Development Center (NUDC) in Nkumba, Burera District.
The event gathered 1,000 youths from various districts in Northern Province [Burera, Gicumbi, Gakenke, Musanze, and Rulindo] and Nyabihu in Western Province.
The campaign is a joint effort by the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE) and the Ministry of Youth and Arts (MoYA) aimed at educating young Rwandans about the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and providing them with the knowledge to counter genocide denial.
The Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi) was founded in December 1987 by exiled Rwandans, responding to the ethnic violence against the Tutsi fuelled by colonial-era policies and the Rwandan regime since 1959, when Belgium introduced the ethnic identity card for Rwandans.
Minister Utumatwishima said that youth should learn about the RPF-Inkotanyi and its nine obligations, as they showcase values that will build a peaceful and developed country.
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Restoration of unity among Rwandans
"Youth should understand the political programme of the RPF-Inkotanyi because it holds obligations to guide and help youth contribute to the rebuilding and development of this country. Restoring unity among Rwandans is a key obligation that characterises the RPF-Inkotanyi," he explained.
This is vital for rebuilding a society previously marked by colonial divisions and decades of ethnic segregation, which culminated in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in which over a million people were killed in 100 days.
The colonial powers left a legacy of distrust, hatred, and conflict, leading some Rwandans to be accused of being foreigners and exiled. Instead of attempting to restore unity among Rwandans, both regimes that governed Rwanda after its independence, MDR-PARMEHUTU, and MRND, continued the legacy of segregation until it led to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The first objective of RPF-Inkotanyi is to restore unity among Rwandans, so that all Rwandans love their country, have equal opportunities and rights, and live in harmony again, complementing each other in ideas and activities.
2. Sovereignty and security
The Minister explained that RPF-Inkotanyi is responsible for defending Rwanda’s sovereignty, particularly considering threats from the DR Congo-based FDLR genocidal militia.
"There are many genocide deniers who still maintain genocide ideology and have the intention to destroy what Rwanda has achieved," he said.
There is a significant number of Rwandans who fled the country after committing genocide atrocities and have supporters for their cause.
To safeguard the nation, Rwanda's security forces have been strengthened to protect citizens and ensure safety across the country. RPF-Inkotanyi ensures that all Rwandans who are willing and able have the right to join the army whenever there are available openings.
RPF-Inkotanyi encourages youth to join the army if they meet the required discipline and health standards.
"Without discipline and good health, youth can't be accepted to join the security forces who can defend the sovereignty of Rwanda," Utumatwishima echoed.
3. Establishing democratic governance
Rwanda was previously governed by dictatorship, exclusion, and segregation.
One of RPF-Inkotanyi's core obligations is to establish democratic governance, ensuring that all citizens have a voice in the country's leadership and decision-making processes.
4.Economic development
Promoting economic growth by leveraging the country’s resources is a priority for RPF-Inkotanyi.
The government aims to enhance Rwanda's self-sufficiency, reduce poverty, and provide job opportunities for the youth.
5. Fighting corruption
Eradicating corruption, favouritism, and the embezzlement of national resources is central to RPF-Inkotanyi’s vision.
Corruption has long hindered the country's development, and the movement seeks to eliminate these practices to improve peace, unity, and prosperity.
The above practices also affected the economy, peace, and unity of Rwanda since the time of independence and discouraged the efforts of some Rwandans who were willing to rebuild the country after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, as RPF-Inkotanyi explains on its web portal.
6. Enhancing social welfare
Social welfare is a key pillar of RPF-Inkotanyi's mission.
Ensuring that all citizens have access to quality healthcare, education, and other essential services is a fundamental responsibility of the government.
7. Eliminating all causes of refugee status
In the past, many Rwandans have been forced to flee the country due to bad governance or economic problems. This took place before, during, and after the colonial times. However, the refugee crisis was exacerbated during the MDR-PARMEHUTU and MRND regimes because homes were destroyed and burned, people were killed, and others were forced into exile due to their ethnicity or political affiliations. Some were forced into exile because they had been denied the right to education, public employment, and security.
During the MRND regime, leaders declared that Rwanda was too small, that there was no room for the return of refugees, and that they should remain in exile permanently.
"RPF-Inkotanyi will eliminate all causes for fleeing the country, particularly those that make any Rwandan feel insecure or deny them equal rights and opportunities as fellow Rwandans."
8. International relations
Cultivating positive international relations is crucial for Rwanda’s development.
RPF-Inkotanyi emphasises cooperation with other nations based on mutual respect, focusing on economic and political partnerships that benefit Rwanda’s people and contribute to national progress.
"That is why Rwanda severed diplomatic relations with Belgium because it did not respect Rwanda. Belgium played a big role in the regime that committed the Genocide against the Tutsi, and it still seeks to support those who want to trivialise the country's history and Rwanda's progress," Utumatwishima explained.
9. Combating genocide and its ideology
After 1959, it became evident that some Rwandans were plotting the extermination of fellow Rwandans due to their Tutsi ethnicity. At that time, people were killed, homes were destroyed, and people fled the country. This sequence continued through the years and culminated in 1994 when the country lost over one million people in the space of three months.
The victims included people of the Tutsi ethnicity as well as those who did not agree with this plot.
Genocide perpetrators from Rwanda fled to other countries, especially in the Great Lakes region, spreading the genocide ideology.
Utumatwishima said that combating genocide ideology remains a central task for Rwanda. He reminded youth to be vigilant against genocide ideology, warning them to report cases in schools, businesses, and communities.
RPF-Inkotanyi is determined to prevent the resurgence of genocide ideology, both within Rwanda and beyond its borders.
He stressed the importance of leadership, stating that the liberation of Rwanda was not only a military victory but also a victory for good governance.
He urged youth to support the country’s leadership and focus on self-reliance to fight poverty.
He also reiterated the importance of embracing education and avoiding drug abuse among the youth.
Dieudonné Nshimiyumukiza, one of the youth leaders in Gakenke District, is committed to helping youth understand the Ndi Umunyarwanda spirit.
Under President Kagame’s leadership, the Ndi Umunyarwanda programme promotes national identity, trust, and unity.
The youth also highlighted the importance of explaining the true history of Rwanda to genocide deniers and showcasing Rwanda's progress in infrastructure, education, and health after the Genocide.
Ernest Manzi, a youth leader, noted that explaining Rwanda's history is especially crucial during the 31st Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Albertine Uwimpuhwe noted the importance of demonstrating the country’s achievements and how leadership and unity have contributed to national development.
Orgene Niyokwizera, another youth leader, called for teaching Rwanda's history in communities during holidays and at all educational levels. This, he said, is essential for preserving the country's history and preventing future distortions.