As Rwanda marked its 20th Liberation Day, South Sudan President, Salva Kiir Mayardit, pledged more cooperation between his country and the people of Rwanda. Kiir’s message of solidarity to the people of Rwanda was read out by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Louise Mushikiwabo during the national celebrations at Amahoro stadium. Kiir congratulated the liberation army for having stopped the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. “We congratulate the Rwanda Patriotic Front and Rwandans for their great success in ending the Genocide and enhancing reconciliation and forgiveness among all citizens irrespective of their ethnic origin,” the message read. “We encourage you to continue this great patriotic political celebration of 20 years of your struggle. The political leaders and the people of South Sudan will always be in solidarity with you. We have been with you; I am with you and will always be with you, as you strive to protect the gains of your struggle.” President Kiir said the people of South Sudan welcome and wholeheartedly thank Rwanda for the presence of its sons and daughters as peacekeepers in South Sudan. “They are helping us to protect our freedom, saving lives, sustaining our peace and democracy as well as dignity,” adds the message. Rwanda announced recently that it has completed redeployment of a battalion of 800 peacekeepers from Darfur in Sudan to the UN Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), thereby increasing the size of the country’s peacekeeping contingent in the world’s youngest nation to more than 1,650 troops. Meanwhile, speaking at the same event, Minister Mushikiwabo praised those who picked up guns and risked their lives to liberate Rwanda. “We honour men and women led by President Paul Kagame, whose enduring spirit – Inkotanyi – brought us liberation and a new beginning as a united nation,” said the minister. She further commended President Kagame for his “selfless and tireless service to Rwandans.” “You symbolise the resilience and hope that this nation hold for the future…20 years on, we are a deeply changed people, look at our transformed towns and hills, look at the advances Rwandan women have made,” Mushikiwabo said.
