Today, July 4, Rwanda marks 30 years since the end of one of the darkest chapters in modern history. Liberation Day is a moment that reflects the resilience of men and women who sacrificed their lives to deliberately build a foundation for which every Rwandan would be proud to have a country they call home. When the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA) halted the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and took Kigali on July 4, they didn’t just end the violence, they laid the foundation for the nation we are today. In the three decades since, Rwanda has transformed in ways that few thought possible. The country’s recovery, growth, and reconciliation have become global case studies in what disciplined leadership, visionary policy, and collective determination can achieve. As highlighted by citizens in recent reflections, the fruits of liberation are visible in all aspects of life. Women now hold over 60 per cent of seats in Parliament, a shift that would have been unimaginable prior to 1994. Healthcare and education have been expanded dramatically, giving families real access to services that had long been out of reach. From public transport operators to farmers to students, Rwandans understand that liberation wasn’t just military, it was social, economic, and deeply personal. Commemorating Liberation Day also serves as a moment to reflect on what remains. The journey is far from over. As the country continues to industrialise, urbanise, and digitise, it must do so without losing sight of the values that have anchored its recovery - equity, justice, and inclusivity. This year’s Liberation Day celebration is a timely reminder that freedom is not just something we inherited, it is something we must continue to choose, uphold, and protect. The gains of the past 31 years can only endure if the next generation understands the cost of division and the value of unity. Rwanda’s liberation is an ongoing story. One of hope, strength, and shared destiny. As we celebrate today, let it renew our national purpose, not just to remember the past, but to boldly shape the future.
