Regional
President Kagame’s inaugural address on August 11
I can
only begin by thanking all Rwandans for putting your trust and confidence in
me. It is an honour to serve as your President for another term.
To all
our guests, friends, and partners, from near and far, your presence on this
important day is very deeply meaningful and greatly appreciated. We are
especially grateful to all the Heads of State and Government who have joined us
or sent representatives. Many of you have accompanied our country and our
people throughout this thirty-year journey of rebuilding.
The
electoral campaign was a period of joy and satisfaction for all of us. Millions
attended rallies, and almost everyone went to vote.
But it
isn’t just about numbers. There is a much deeper meaning behind what all of us
saw and experienced. That reality is undeniable; it stems from the spirit of
togetherness among Rwandans, as well as a shared determination to be the owners
of our future. This is exactly what we have been working for all of these
years.
Rather
than leaving behind new divisions to be healed, our political process is
designed to renew and deepen our unity.
Over
the past three decades, what Rwandans have managed to accomplish is even more
than we expected. Indeed, it is beyond what words can describe, given where we
started from. Our tragic past ignited a fire in each one of us: a fire of hope,
resilience, and justice. This is who we have become as Rwandans.
In
this year, 2024, the intersecting crises that define our region and our world
continue to create uncertainty and distrust, as a result of unaddressed
inequalities and double standards.
Peace
in our region is a priority for Rwanda, yet it has been lacking, particularly
in eastern DRC. But peace cannot be delivered by anyone from anywhere, no
matter how powerful, if the party most directly concerned does not do what is
needed. Without that, the sincere mediation efforts by the mandated regional
leaders cannot work as intended.
And
here, I would like to pause to thank the President of Angola, President João
Lourenço, and the President of Kenya, President William Ruto, among others, for
everything they have done and continue to do.
Peace
cannot happen all on its own. We all have to do our part, and the right things,
in order to achieve and sustain peace. This should not be seen as a favour to
anyone. For anyone to do what is needed for everybody to have peace can’t be a
matter of favours being dished out. It is an obligation. In the end, when it
doesn’t happen, that’s why people stand up and fight for it.
It
should be understood as a necessity, because it is a question of people’s rights
and there cannot be real peace if those rights are not respected. You can’t
wake up one day and decide to deny whoever you want their citizenship rights
and expect to get away with it. There has to be a meeting in the middle. There
has to be a compromise.
This
is a time to reflect on the kind of world we want our children to live in. As a
global community, we have more in common than we think, and within us we always
have the tools to repair, to renew, and to reset. It does not mean that we have
to agree on everything. But we must respect each other’s choices, all of us
doing the best we can in our unique contexts.
There
is no longer room for the powerful to impose their vision about how others
ought to live, or to create narratives that falsify the truth. This must always
be resisted, even when under pressure.
But
there is also no possible excuse for injustice, wherever it occurs, whether
committed against us as Africans, or inflicted by ourselves. Indeed, we
Africans are people who have consistently fought injustice. We don’t need any
lessons about how best to do so. And we must all humbly acknowledge the
necessity to adapt our political and governance systems to our specific
conditions, and the expectations of our citizens.
Like
everyone else, what matters most to us is to see our people living safe,
healthy, and dignified lives. This is imperative, and it is a responsibility
that we cannot evade or outsource.
Since
its establishment, the African Union has been instrumental in building on this
common heritage to forge a more integrated future, where the many voices of
Africa can be heard. From security, to health, infrastructure, and jobs for
youth, we are taking responsibility for our challenges and offering solutions.
That is the mindset that brings us closer together and creates positive change
over time for everyone.
Africa
is home to some of the world’s most ancient civilizations, but also to its most
youthful population, who are as capable as you would find anywhere else. Our
youth are energetic, innovative, and bold, and they are not afraid to change
the status quo for the better, by demanding more of ourselves and from each
other.
Throughout
our campaign here, it was always humbling to hear the slogan “Ni wowe”, meaning
“It’s you”. But actually, in reality, it is not me alone, ni mwebwe, ni twese —
it’s all of us.
Our
focus now returns to the future. For the last thirty years, our country has
been a good work-in-progress. This new mandate means the beginning of even more
hard work.
Why
not do even better than we have done? That expectation to keep improving is not
a dream, it is realistic. We can do it, and we will do it.
Above
all, we will be together, and I thank you once again for renewing the privilege
to serve our country.
May God bless Rwanda and Africa, and all of us Africans.