President Paul Kagame has marked 32 years since Rwanda’s Liberation Day by describing the country’s liberation as an ongoing process, urging Rwandans to safeguard unity, strengthen security, and remain vigilant against divisive ideologies as the nation continues its development journey. ALSO READ: 'The youth must jealously protect the gains of liberation' – Col (Rtd) Jill Rutaremara In his message marking the 32nd anniversary of Liberation Day, on Saturday, July 4, Kagame paid tribute to the courage and sacrifices of the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA) soldiers who fought to transform the country's history. “For decades, Rwanda was shaped by a deliberate system of exclusion, fear, and division. The purpose of the liberation struggle was to restore what had been taken away: the right of Rwandans to live in dignity. However, the ideas behind the genocide have not disappeared... pic.twitter.com/lxV48fP1H2 — Presidency | Rwanda (@UrugwiroVillage) July 4, 2026 ALSO READ: Inside the RPA's rescue mission to stop the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi “Rwandans and friends of Rwanda, today marks 32 years of liberation. I want to thank RPA soldiers for the courage and sacrifices that changed the course of our history. Some of them did not live to see this day, but what they fought for is visible in the transformed Rwanda we see around us,” he said. The Head of State reflected on Rwanda's past, noting that the country had been shaped for decades by a deliberate system of exclusion, fear, and division. “The purpose of the liberation struggle was to restore what had been taken away: the right of Rwandans to live in dignity. However, the ideas behind genocide have not disappeared completely,” Kagame said. “They persist in different forms and remain present across our region; we have seen and suffered too much to ever take this threat lightly.” ALSO READ: Why Rwanda cannot ignore the threat of genocide ideology next door Kagame emphasised that security and good governance remain the bedrock of Rwanda's development and prosperity. “Security and good governance are the foundation of everything we have built. Security is a matter of survival, not external approval; without it, nothing else holds together. That is why we remain vigilant and firm.” ALSO READ: A preventable genocide, a denied responsibility: What ‘Corridors of Power’ reveals about Rwanda He reiterated Rwanda's commitment to ensuring that the atrocities of the past are never repeated. “What happened here will never happen again for one simple reason: we will not allow it,” he said. Addressing younger generations who did not directly experience Rwanda's darkest chapters, Kagame underscored the importance of taking ownership of the country's future. ALSO READ: When Rwanda’s widows broke their silence “A new generation is now coming of age, who did not witness the darkest moments of our history like those before them; this generation must understand that no one carries greater responsibilities for Rwanda than we do ourselves.” The President also stressed the need for self-reliance, noting that while international partners may support or disagree with Rwanda, the responsibility for safeguarding the country's future ultimately lies with its people. ALSO READ: Why genocide ideology continues to spread abroad “Some may support us, others may disagree or misunderstand us. Ultimately, they can all turn their backs on us. We do not have that option.” “It is our duty to ensure that every Rwandan can live in peace and build a good life here; that is why liberation will never end, but will continue to evolve, as we work to improve the lives of our people, year after year.” Kagame concluded by calling on Rwandans to preserve unity and reject all forms of division as the country continues its development journey. “As long as we remain united, reject division in all forms and focus on what we are building together, there is little we cannot accomplish. The record of the past 32 years speaks for itself. Let us continue on the right path we have chosen.”
