Deepening reconciliation the way to rebuild a nation

Yesterday, Rwandans took part in the 19th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Many across the country participated in the Walk to Remember events. Others visited memorial sites to pay respects to the innocent victims.Nineteen years ago, Rwanda was in ruins. The Land of A Thousand Hills was full of blood when lives of more than one million people perished in a record 100 days. Today, we reaffirm our resolve against divisive politics and genocide ideology. Our current crop of leaders came with the idea of unity and reconciliation, to build a country that would unite all people. That philosophy now lives. There are those, for one reason or the other, who have not embraced the new Rwandan spirit. But at this stage we can now truly say that out of the ashes we rose to say “Never Again”!Rwandans rose to chart a deserved course, reaffirming all that is good about us as a country. The old order was overturned by the current government of national unity and ever since this country has tried to find its soul.As we speak, there are survivors working together with families whose heads had tormented them. You can’t help but say what a great, resilient people! As Rwanda reflects on how far we’ve come and look to the future, we must deepen reconciliation and a sense of nationhood. Also, we need to undertake the task of changing the lives of the very people who bore the brunt of the Genocide as per this year’s commemoration theme.The spirit should be about giving survivors reasons to have hope for a brighter future.

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Deepening reconciliation the way to rebuild a nation