Since 1959, the Tutsis started being persecuted basing on mere things as their physical traits and their wealth. It did not only stop on the persecutions, but went further and oppressions, dehumanization and loss of lives followed. All those unspeakable acts were part of a wide agenda to carry out a well-planned genocide against the Tutsis which was going to unroll in 1994. Fortunately, patriotic youth who had fled the country in the course of those persecutions and killings, organized themselves, formed a party called Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) and decided to not only come back to their mother land but also restore unity among Rwandans, for divisionism had led to the 1994 genocide against Tutsis. They liberated this country from her darkest slumber in her history, but the most important part, being the core of this country’s development 25 years later, is the enlightenment and the awakening of Rwandans’ perception and mindset which allowed every Rwandan to unlock and exploit their full potential. The youth today, on the other hand, are grateful and acknowledge their parents’ sacrifice for the liberation of this country. 25 years after the liberation, they have a clear perception of the liberation and conveyed a message to the World on this country’s silver liberation.
Tristan Murenzi: The youth today, we are indebted to those who liberated this country, for they made a lot of sacrifices; some of them even losing their lives. They fought the military war and it is our duty to now carry on the fight of developing this country as a drop in an ocean to our indebtedness settlement towards them.
Ivan Rugamba: The youth we have today, most of us were born after the 1994 genocide against Tutsis and were fortunate to have grown up in our motherland which was not the case for their elders. It is therefore imperative that we ought to sustain everything our elders fought for and achieved.
Sanny Aline Ntaganira: From the stories we hear from our elders, they tell us that before the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, not everyone had the privilege of having access to education. Competence was not the criteria for admission; it was rather other things mostly one’s ethnicity. Liberation has had a good impact in education, for nowadays, it is accessible to all even those who do not have the means because they are supported by the government, but how do we, the youth utilize these opportunities? All these opportunities that were offered to us; we should be using them to enhance our critical thinking in order to fully understand and comprehend our role in the development of our country.
Ivan Rugamba: During that time (before the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis), there were two categories of youth; the ones who were misled by the government’s bad ideology and the ones who were doing everything they can to liberate this country, but today, it’s a completely different story, as we are united more than ever and that can be used to fuel this country’s development.
Germain Mucyo: The youth are entrusted with responsibilities and given space to perform, but the involvement should be increased, for the youth are both the strength and future of a nation.
Prisca Shima Rugema: We owe to the departed, during the liberation struggle, a better future and we cannot do that indulging in reckless activities and abusing drugs
Tristan Murenzi: We cannot afford the luxury of being carried away by the inertia of having a peaceful country because our elders paid the ultimate price. On the other hand it should teach us that whenever the youth are abandoned or misled, the whole country gets heavily affected.
Sanny Aline Ntaganira: Those who liberated this country did not care about their age, for they were just young like us, but necessity and purpose were their preoccupation at the moment. Let’s take this opportunity of being young and start small while thinking big and grow exponentially.
Germain Mucyo: Let’s work together as the youth but make the first steps as individuals.
Tristan Murenzi: As the youth in Rwanda We Want organization, we have that duty to make our country the Rwanda We Want following the good example of today’s good leadership. I would also like to invite the youth at large to contribute to this country’s development by everyone playing their role as they can with the means at hand. Happy Liberation Day Rwanda
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