On February 1, 2025, Rwanda celebrated National Heroes Day, a moment of reflection on the heroism demonstrated by the sons and daughters of this land. We honor them for the ultimate sacrifice they made, allowing us to enjoy the dignified and prosperous country we have today. However, this reflection should not be confined to a single day. The values exemplified by our heroes must guide us in addressing present and future challenges and be passed on to generations to come. Throughout our country’s history, heroism has been most evident when individuals faced existential threats yet chose to stand up for what is right, regardless of the consequences. In the coming weeks, we will enter a period of remembrance as Rwanda and the world commemorate the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi—the darkest chapter in our history. During this time, evil forces executed a meticulously planned final solution to wipe out the Tutsi population. Against all odds, this heinous plan was thwarted by the heroic forces of the Rwanda Patriotic Army/Front (RPA/F) Inkotanyi, under the extraordinary leadership of President Paul Kagame. We are eternally indebted to their heroism, patriotism, selflessness, and bravery. The call for all Rwandans to embrace the values and culture of heroism is not just symbolic; it is an essential principle for our survival and progress. The world continues to harbor forces that seek to destabilize our country and hinder our aspirations. These are the same forces that enabled the genocide—either by direct participation, complicity, or indifference. A striking example of heroism was highlighted by President Kagame in his speech on April 7, 2024. He recounted a conversation with then-UNAMIR Commander Romeo Dallaire in 1994, during which French soldiers under Operation Turquoise demanded that the RPA cease its advance or face annihilation. President Kagame’s response was resolute: he asked Dallaire if the French also had blood in their bodies. The RPA/F Inkotanyi’s unwavering courage ultimately led to the defeat of the genocidal regime, the liberation of Rwanda, and the beginning of a remarkable nation-building process. Today, the transformation of Rwanda stands as a testament to their sacrifice. Our journey of national reconstruction has been met with hostility from those who once wished for Rwanda to be a failed state. Despite numerous attempts to drag us back into chaos, they have failed. The current geopolitical landscape demonstrates that history repeats itself if lessons are not learned. The same international community that turned a blind eye to the genocide three decades ago enabled genocidal forces to flee to what was then Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC). These forces were integrated into the DR Congo’s army with the intent of destabilizing Rwanda and completing their genocidal mission. Yet, Rwanda has been vilified for defending itself. Thanks to our heroic leadership, Rwandans have become astute students of history. We have drawn lessons that empower us to resist any force attempting to drag us back to our darkest days. The genocidal FDLR, now part of the DR Congo army, has continued its atrocities, targeting and massacring Congolese citizens of Rwandophone-Tutsi identity. The international community, which has supported the DR Congo regime in fostering genocidal ideology, has remained conspicuously silent. One of the key enablers of this complicity is Belgium, which has actively lobbied other countries to pressure Rwanda for defending itself. This is the same Belgium that played a significant role in sowing genocidal ideology in Rwanda and partitioning parts of our land into the DR Congo, where Rwandophones have faced persecution for years. Those seeking to weaken Rwanda must understand who we are as a result of our history. No sanctions or pressure will deter us from defending our rights and standing up for ourselves. The Inkotanyi heroes did not only protect this nation from annihilation; they also instilled in all Rwandans—physically and mentally—the resilience to resist injustice and hostility. As young Rwandans privileged to grow up under the heroic leadership of President Paul Kagame, we have witnessed firsthand the restoration of a nation from ashes to glory. We shall never betray the cause for which our heroes sacrificed everything. Ntituzatatira Igihango. We are committed to upholding the indomitable Rwandan spirit for generations to come. Embracing the values and culture of heroism means understanding our responsibilities as Rwandans. We will strive for excellence in our daily endeavors, continue developing our country, and uphold our sacred duty to defend Rwanda in all ways. We shall determine our own destiny and refuse to allow anyone else to dictate our future—let alone decide how we should die. As President Paul Kagame, stated in his April 7, 2024 speech, we will choose the life we want to live. And we shall fearlessly defend this right against anyone who dares to challenge it.
