Regional
Looking back, 27 years on
When
Rwanda was liberated, the odds of survival were long. Our strategic environment
was fraught with danger. The neighbourhood was
hostile. The treasury was empty. With virtually nothing, Rwanda was
vulnerable. Fortunately, through Rwanda’s enlightened leadership, they realised
quickly that a nation that wanted to shape its own future first had to protect
its people and its interests. We will forever be grateful.
Today,
Rwanda is completely transformed. We have the Rwanda Development Board (RDB)
that is kriss-krossing the world cutting deals on behalf of Rwandans – a quick
example is the brilliant #visitRwanda campaign, we have the Rwanda convention
bureau that warmly welcomes all guests visiting Rwanda, and we also have the
Kigali Financial Centre (KIFC) – what RDB did for Rwanda over the last decade,
KIFC will do even more in the next decade, and the skyline is absolutely
ravishing. In short, Kigali has become a dynamic, global city.
How
did we achieve this? Rwandans worked very hard, and we connected ourselves to
the world and made a living for ourselves. But more importantly, it is because
our Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) and Rwanda National Police (RNP) made vital
contributions. They protected us from danger, and provided the security and
confidence that enabled us to build our economy, educate our people, attract
foreign investments, and improve our lives. They still do so today.
Despite
our tough start, today, Rwanda is successful, wildly successful.
Otherwise, we wouldn't be sitting here today. But we can't stand still
because the world is changing, our people are changing and so must Rwanda and
so must the way we govern Rwanda.
To
continue to succeed we have to balance between continuity and change, keeping
what is still working and good and strong in our system, which is a lot, and
changing the part which is obsolete, discarding the part which is no longer
relevant, inventing new pieces, new ideas to deal with new problems and to take
advantage of new opportunities and to develop new strengths and strategies to
thrive in a different world.
We
can never afford to be satisfied with the status quo, even if we are still
okay, even if our policies are still working. People say, "If it
ain't broke, don't fix it". I say, if it ain't broke, better
maintain it, lubricate it, inspect it, replace it, upgrade it, try something
better and make it work better than before.
We
have to rethink all our problems, big and small. Nothing should ever be
set in stone. Afterall, Rwanda is a country where the impossible becomes
possible. We have to support our entrepreneurs. They are the backbone of our
economy. We have to support Rwandans being spontaneous, being
unconventional. We should not put obstacles in their way. We should help
them to succeed.
Looking
ahead, I am optimistic. We are building something unique and precious here. In
a world full of strife, we have everyone living in harmony. In a region where
corruption is everywhere, we have a clean and meritocratic system. We invest in
our young to help each one to find his strengths and realise his aspirations.
We offer special opportunities to all to do well and also to contribute to
Rwanda and we spread widely the benefits of progress so that everybody benefits
when the country does well. And we are strengthening our national
identity day by day. It is not yet a very long history, but year by year, with
each crisis, with each joy and each sorrow, we build on it.
Each
successor generation of Rwandans must build on these assets and work out their
solutions to new problems, seize new opportunities and avoid impending
disasters in an ever changing world. We have to strengthen our national
consciousness at a time when the forces of globalisation are deconstructing the
very notion of nationhood.
We
must help younger generations of Rwandans who have grown up in a more stable
and affluent environment to understand these strategic realities, and prepare
them for their part in defending Rwanda, our home. We must also strengthen
Total Defence. Every Rwandan must be committed to the defence of Rwanda,
whether it is military defence, civil defence, economic, social or
psychological defence.
Now, what do I see as a vision for Rwanda? I think this will always be work-in-progress because we will never be satisfied. We always want to move on, do better. But I know ours is a future of opportunity and promise. We should have a prospering economy, creating good jobs for all and having opportunities for our people to venture and to create new businesses and new openings and new possibilities for ourselves. So, we have a lot going for us. Let us all work together to realise our dreams and to make this bright future for our people and for Rwanda. Happy New Year 2022!
Source: www.newtimes.co.rw