Today, October 23, is President Paul Kagame’s birthday. We join his family and all Rwandans to honor this towering political giant on our planet, a leader who made what was seemingly impossible, possible: the reconfiguration of the Rwandan state, the reconstruction of the Rwandan economy and the reconstitution of Rwandan society that had been tone asunder by the most horrific genocide in history.
More than that, we honor a leader who pulled a country out of obscurity and oblivion into a shining star on our continent, an example of what good leadership can do for a people. He did this because he stuck to his ideals and tenaciously defended the goals he sought for his country when it would have been much more profitable to compromise them at the alter of political convenience.
President Paul Kagame inspires hundreds of millions across our planet because he has defied the odds, because he has held his ground, because he has kept his word, because he has persisted and endured in the pursuit of the Rwandan dream where many would have given up.
I have been traveling across Africa and witnessed so many post colonial hopes dashed because leaders, in seeking to hold power and reward friends, abandoned the goal of building the nation and serving its people and where the sacrifices of the many were turned into the benefits of a few. In Rwanda, Kagame said NO. I have watched him, at very close range, lose friends and antagonize allies who stood in the way of developing Rwanda.
Today we celebrate this moral clarity and the integrity of his personality. Happy birthday my friend and hero. May you live to be 150 years and thereby defy biology the way you have defied political and military realities.
A word to the haters of Kagame. I know you will come here and hurl insults and abuses at me. I forgive you because I know you envy his achievements and are tortured by his greatness. I am sorry I cannot help you out of your misery!
@freyntje@matinyarare#CLARIFICATION: Pre-colonial Rwanda spanned nearly triple its current size. Despite border cuts by colonizers, language and culture endured — cities, mountains, rivers, and villages kept their names, even recognized on Belgian Congo notes honoring Rwandan heritage. #FactsOnRwanda
When President Félix Tshisekedi supported and armed the FDLR genocidal force, which he embedded in his own army, Belgium saw it but did nothing about it.
When President Tshisekedi publicly and repeatedly promised to overthrow the government of Rwanda and to bomb Kigali without setting boots on the ground, Belgium heard it loud and clear but remained silent.
When President Tshisekedi spent billions of dollars in heavy weaponry, including attack drones and fighter jets, to achieve his proclaimed goal, and when he put in place a military coalition made of local militias, FDLR genocidal force, Burundian and SAMIDRC forces, as well European mercenaries, for the same purpose, Brussels was fully aware but didn't act.
When the FARDC and its criminal militias persecute and kill, in broad daylight, the Congolese Tutsi in North Kivu, the Banyamulenge in South Kivu and the Hema in Ituri, Belgium is informed to the fullest but chose to look the other way.
And when the Belgian Foreign Minister claims that his country wants "a professional suspension process that preserves the gains of our longstanding cooperation for the benefit of the Rwandan people", this is not only pure neocolonial narrative, but also hypocrisy.
First, it's not the Kingdom of Belgium that takes care of the well-being of the Rwandan people but the Government of Rwanda itself.
Second, if Belgium was working for the "benefit of the Rwandan people", it would not be running around the world putting pressure on all our partners to end the development cooperation intended for that very "Rwandan people".
Third, Rwanda and History know too well how the Kingdom of Belgium usually behaves when it comes to defending the Rwandan people.
I rest my case.
On behalf of the people of Rwanda and myself, I send deepest condolences to His Majesty King Mohammed VI on the passing of his mother, Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Latifa. Rwanda stands with the Royal family and the people of the Kingdom of Morocco during this difficult time.
16 real Reasons why Gaddafi was killed:
1. Libya has no electricity bill, electricity came free of charge to all citizens.
2. There were no interest rates on loans, the banks were state-owned, the loan of citizens by law 0%.
3. Gaddafi promised not to buy a house for his parents until everyone in Libya owns a home.
4. All newlywed couples in Libya received 60,000 dinars from the government & because of that they bought their own apartments & started their families.
5. Education & medical treatment in Libya are free. Before Gaddafi there were only 25% readers, 83% during his reign
6. If Libyans wanted to live on a farm, they received free household appliances, seeds and livestock.
7. If they cannot receive treatment in Libya, the state would fund them $2300+ accommodation & travel for treatment abroad.
8. If you buy a car, the government finances 50% of the price.
9. The price of gasoline became $ 0.14 per liter.
10. Libya had no external debt, and reserves were $150 Billion (now frozen worldwide)
11. Since some Libyans can't find jobs after school, the government will pay the average salary when they can't find a job.
12. Part of oil sales in Libya are directly linked to the bank accounts of all citizens.
13. The mother who gave birth to the child will receive $5000
14. 40 loaves of bread cost $0.15.
15. 25% of Libyans had all Ilisna diplomas.
16. Gaddafi has implemented the world's biggest irrigation project known as the "BIG MAN PROJECT" to ensure water availability in the desert.
If this is called “DICTATORSHIP” I wonder what democracy is?
@NoelKambanda Ziriya zari leta za escrocs zigendera just!
Buriya, muri 1988 terrorist grp (Escadron de la mort), then Oct 4th (1990), arasa muri capital, ibyo byose byar'ubukunguzi ku buryo, kumenya uwamwishe n'uhurizo, kuko, uwari gutanga undi yari kumunagura pe!
@bbcgahuza Kwibuka ni sawa cyane rwose, ntabwo tuzinagirwa uko leta y'aba escrocs (yariyobowe na papa w'uyu mukobwa) yatobye igihugu, badutsembera abantu ku manywa, barangije (abatariyahuye), barahunga,bajya gutera imbabazi mubabatabye mu nama.....muzumirwa!
Thank you President @PaulKagame for the warm welcome to Kigali. I am pleased to witness the development of your country and commend you for sustaining it. Both our nations are making great efforts in the field of agriculture and entails collaboration in cascading our positive efforts into the region.
PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA UNDERTAKES WORKING VISIT TO THE REPUBLIC OF RWANDA
His Excellency President @CyrilRamaphosa will today undertake a visit to the Republic of Rwanda to attend the 30th Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
This year, Rwanda marks 30 years since the Genocide against the Tutsi which began on 7 April 1994 and lasted for 100 days, leading to more than a million deaths of mainly ethnic Tutsis. Every year, on this date, the government of Rwanda hosts an official ceremony to mark the beginning of the 100 days of commemoration.
The ceremony of remembrance will take place in Kigali on Sunday, 7 April 2024. President Ramaphosa will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, followed by the National Commemoration ceremony, which will conclude with a Night Vigil at BK Arena in Kigali.
Bilateral relations between South Africa and Rwanda were established in 1995, which were further strengthen through the signing of a General Cooperation Agreement in 1999. Since the inauguration of the Joint Cooperation Commission in Pretoria on 22 June 2001, significant progress was recorded in areas such as institution and capacity building, health, and education. South African companies have also invested in Rwanda.
The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor will accompany the President.
#Kwibuka30
#BetterAfricaBetterWorld 🌍