KIGALI (Halbeeg News) – Somali government has congratulated Rwandan government and it’s people on the 25th anniversary of their independence.
In a Twitter post, Villa Somalia extended its best wishes to the people of Rwanda.
“To the people of Rwanda and President PaulKagame, as you commemorate the peerless sacrifices of your heroes & tenacity of your citizens, on this 25th Liberation Day Anniversary Kwibohora, the people of Somalia and I express our best wishes for your nation’s continued success,” reads the post.
Somali president, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo who expected to the ceremony was confirmed to turn up by Rwandan presidency.
“Thank you President M.Farmaajo for your kind words. We know you were also supposed to join us on this occasion had it not been for last-minute technical problem,” Rwandan President Paul Kagame said in a Twitter post.
More than 25,000 people including heads of seven African nations have attended the ceremony which took place in the capital city of the country, Kigali.
Speaking at the ceremony, Rwandan President Paul Kagame said the country commemorates the sufferings of Rwandan refugees who were scattered in different countries as well as the oppression and poverty of those who were left behind in Rwanda.
“For three long months in 1994, our country’s survival was in doubt. A segment of the population was being hunted. More than a million people were murdered,” at the event.
“Around us, today, are some of the men and women, who protected survivors and led them to safety. You have lived for our country, and those still alive continue to serve it with steadfast devotion. We thank you,” he said.
Kagame mentioned various reasons that sparked attacks on Rwandan Patriotic Front in the 1990s, from neighboring Uganda.
For decades, Rwandans were treated as objects, to be used and discarded by anyone, especially the powerful, according to him.
“We believed in our right to dignity as Rwandans-this conviction was the starting point of the liberation struggle. The aim was to build a Rwanda with equal rights for all,” he said.
On July 4, 1994, the liberation troops secured the capital Kigali.
More than one million people mainly Tutsis and moderate Hutus had perished in the genocide.
Discussion about this post