RWANDA ’ S LIBERATION OF CHOICES
By Chigozie N . Udensi *
Freedom is a form of self-expression . Rights or privileges , what we do with our freedom is yet what we seek daily - our choices . This quest is guided socially by our belief in the right to be who we choose to be and the privilege to attain freedom ; what we seek to express . Therefore , the celebration of July 4 as Liberation Day is a celebration of the freedom of choices . This commemoration of the past has also presented a choice to either celebrate the pain or the gain . Celebrating the pain is living in the realities of 1994 ’ s gruesome power struggle that claimed the lives of millions of Rwandans . Whereas celebrating the gain is appreciating and supporting life and its freedom ; the freedom to make more choices - the choices that make life more progressive . Indeed , the latter has been the key to Rwanda ’ s development today .
The celebration of Liberation Day or Kwibohora is a time for Rwandan citizens all over the world to embrace the sober reflection of their past societal confinement as a propelling force for today ' s freedom . It is no surprise that President Kagame ’ s administration has taken advantage of this freedom to pursue the choices to stay together as one Rwanda , show accountability in governance and be progressive . Today , Rwanda has risen from the ashes that rested on their earthed cities and has shone the light of development in the East African block . These achievements were only possible through a cooperative agreement for a peaceful , prosperous and self-reliant nation . Evidently , these choices have created one of the best civil societies in Africa . With worldclass infrastructure and a fast-growing educational sector , Rwanda has also reached gender parity in both education and governance . Rwanda is growing its population for continuous development with this choice of direction .
In the spirit of the Kwibohora celebration , the lessons of “ freedom of choices ” are not only important for Rwandan citizens but should be reflected to the rest of Africa through its diplomatic policies . Let this freedom to make progressive choices in Rwanda inspire other African countries that have been held backward by anti-development choices and activities . Let leaders of African countries with socio-political conflict understand the power of the choice to live in peace and be accountable and self-reliant as a nation .
The compromise of imposition and deposition has been defeated in Kigali ’ s 1994 triumph . This statement alone should defend the national interest of African leaders subjected to inclusive development including Rwanda . Certainly , good leadership creates sustainability in development through continuity choices . These choices inspire investors , progressive international relations , bilateral trade and multilateral trade relations through democratic processes . Surely , there is hope for Africa as the sun that has risen in Kigali shines the light for African development .
Long live Kigali , Long live Rwanda , and Long live Africa . •
* The author is Researcher , Security & Policy Advisor
2018 • RWANDA • 9