The Parti démocratique idéal (PDI) has changed its name to Parti démocratique Intangarugero in what its leaders said is an efforts to reflect its objectives. Intangarugero is a Kinyarwanda word that loosely translates as “exemplary” or “role model”. The change was approved by PDI General Assembly on Sunday, June 21. The new name will have to summitted to Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), before it becomes official. ALSO READ: PDI party endorses Kagame’s 2024 candidacy Originally founded in 1991 as the Parti democratique Islamique, PDI rebranded in 2003 to comply with the Constitution's prohibition of religion-based political parties. PDI President Mussa Fazil Harerimana said the inclusion of Intangarugero in the party's name is intended to instil positive values among members, encouraging them to excel in nation-building while also promoting the use of the Kinyarwanda language. Harerimana told the party's General Assembly that 32 years after the Genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda's achievements are self-evident. He stressed that party members have a responsibility to safeguard the country's gains, including unity, development and good governance. “Our responsibility is to preserve Rwanda's achievements, its development and our unity. The progress for which Rwanda is praised today did not happen by chance; it has its roots in good governance, as well as the strong bond and mutual trust between the people and their leadership,” he said. ALSO READ: PDI commits to increasing access to electricity PDI endorsed President Paul Kagame in the 2024 presidential election. “The guidance of President Paul Kagame will continue to serve as a beacon for Rwanda. Both today and in the centuries to come, as successive generations of leaders take office, this vision will remain our guiding light and a roadmap for the governance of our country,” Harerimana said. He reminded party cadres that Rwanda went through a dark period marked by bad governance under both the First and Second Republics, during which ethnic discrimination was institutionalised. ALSO READ: Kagame is the leader Rwanda needs – PDI’s Harerimana “Instead of focusing on the country's development, the leadership of the time was preoccupied with marginalising and persecuting the Tutsi, who were regarded as enemies. Schools were accessible only to certain groups, and even then they were very few. Healthcare services were largely unavailable,” he noted. He added that this poor governance ultimately planned and carried out the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, with some of the political parties that existed at the time also playing a role in the genocide. Grace Nishimwe, PDI's Youth Coordinator, said young party members should learn and understand Rwanda's history in order to help shape the country's future. “We must fight against genocide ideology and those who deny the Genocide against the Tutsi and seek to undermine what Rwanda has achieved over the past 32 years. PDI was not involved in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, and we must continue to follow that path,” she said. Hassan Habimana, another party member, said they contribute to the country's development in the various sectors where they work, while also combating discrimination. “Only a small percentage of Rwandans once had access to electricity. The health and infrastructure sectors have recorded significant growth. PDI members must sustain this progress and play a role in addressing the remaining gaps,” he said.
