DEFENCE SPOKESPERSON DISCUSSES ROOT CAUSES OF CONFLICT AT A SYMPOSIUM IN KIGALI

Kigali, 15 September 2025

Defence Spokesperson Brig Gen Ronald Rwivanga today joined other panellists to discuss security and democracy in the Great Lakes region in a symposium held in Kigali.

The event was organised by Never Again Rwanda on the occasion of international day of Democracy 2025. The symposium discussed the theme titled  'Democracy in Rwanda amid regional and global trends'.

The objective of the symposium was to provide stakeholders with a platform for dialogue and reflection on the challenges and prospects for democracy in Rwanda, the region and the continent.

In his remarks, Brig Gen Ronald Rwivanga emphasized that Africa is facing a wide range of security challenges, including widespread violent criminality, intercommunal conflicts driven by ethnic divisions, internal and cross-border insurgencies and terrorism.

He noted that in some parts of the continent, governments have effectively surrendered control of certain areas to criminal elements and have become complacent about it.

“These issues seriously hinder Africa’s socio-economic transformation,” he said, stressing that it is the primary responsibility of governments to address the root causes of these problems. “You cannot outsource solutions to external actors or make national security a foreign responsibility. The moment you do that, you have already failed from the outset.”

Brig Gen Rwivanga concluded by highlighting the importance of both internal commitment and regional collaboration, stating that governments must work within their means and in partnership with regional entities to ensure lasting peace and stability.