Kwibohora27: Homework for Rwandan youth

The history of Rwanda’s liberation by the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi) remains captivating just like it was some 27 years ago. It can be told in different dimensions and will be found fascinating irrespective of whether you have heard it before. It is the history of the youth that surrendered their lives and aspirations to liberate their country from the extremely bad state it was in. 

As we celebrate Rwanda’s liberation, on July 4, one thing is clear - liberation is still an ongoing process and the one question our liberators ask themselves is: are today's Rwandan youth up to the task to carry on their legacy? The RPF-Inkotanyi liberated Rwanda from a genocidal political system. Military force was never the first choice for RPF-Inkotanyi. It was the last option, after all peaceful means had been flatly rejected by the then regime in Kigali.

As per Rwanda’s liberators, right from their commander and current President of the country, H.E Paul Kagame; liberating the country is still an ongoing struggle. The focus today has shifted to developing the economy and the social welfare of the nation. The Head of State has emphasized this much at every opportunity, saying that the work is cut out for Rwanda's contemporary youth to lead this struggle. It is a struggle that requires equal dynamism, more focus and determination than the armed struggle. 

While most Rwandans grasp the fact that liberation is still an ongoing process, this is not yet digested by some youth who, with time, developed a worrying attitude. The latter are living in a special comfort zone of sorts, fully enjoying the gains of Rwanda’s liberation. Their attitude is not only counterproductive. It threatens the sustainability of the liberation journey and efforts to build on the youth to accomplish even more positives or the future. The indifferent behavior calls for pressing strategic engagements with the youth on Rwanda’s liberation and its stages.

To address this, we have to start somewhere. And, like the old adage goes, charity begins at home.

Parents should comprehend the fact that introducing and educating their children about Rwanda’s liberation history is not only a civic duty that helps shape their children into informed and responsible citizens. It is also a sure way of assuring their future in a country that is prosperous.  In our context, liberation is like a relay game. One generation will give you a head-start and pass onto the next one. The duty of keeping that legacy and sustaining it belongs to the youth just as much.

Many Rwandan youths have come across the topic of the History of Rwanda’s liberation, at least, once. At different youth forums, the topic has been the most attractive because it is predominantly a story of the youth who succeeded in liberating the nation and set it on the right track. The youth need to understand that in this relay game, they are not spectators but the main players. 

They should develop the sense of urgency to develop all the indispensable skills and capacity to take over the baton and perform better with it. They must-have the right attitude so as to accomplish this challenging task. It requires discipline, patriotism, hard work, teamwork and a continuous pursuit for excellence.

My last plea, on behalf of the youth, is that the history of Rwanda’s liberation be an academic topic taught in schools, just like most of us spent hours trying to memorize all the details of the French Revolution or the American History.  This would develop the youth’s awareness of Rwanda’s liberation. It will help them to pinpoint and understand their role and expectations in sustaining the country's liberation process.

I wish you all a Happy Liberation Day. A time to celebrate our heroes, those who passed away at the battle fields and after and to those still alive and serving their nation. Let us honor their sacrifice by keeping their legacy alive and building on it to achieve more.