Kigali, 28 October 2025

Today, the Chief of Civil-Military Cooperation (Chief J9) in the Rwanda Defence Force, Colonel Désiré Migambi Mungamba, addressed participants at the annual Unity and Resilience Forum on behalf of the RDF Chief of Defence Staff. The forum, held at Gasabo District Headquarters, brought together various leaders to reflect on Rwanda’s ongoing journey of unity and nation-building under the theme “Upholding Unity and Resilience.”

Colonel Migambi emphasized that unity and resilience are core Rwandan values, deeply rooted in the nation’s heritage and passed down from its ancestors. He noted that these values are anchored in patriotism, peace, integrity, prosperity, and national dignity.

He further explained that colonialism disrupted these traditional values by introducing ethnic divisions and dismantling Rwanda’s once cohesive social and military structures. Colonel Migambi recalled that the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) launched the 1990 liberation struggle to restore national unity, highlighting that the RPA’s guiding principles which are patriotism, discipline, teamwork, and perseverance—continue to form the foundation of RDF ethics and values.

The forum also featured interactive discussions on Rwanda’s history and the collective responsibility to preserve national achievements while preventing the recurrence of past divisions. Participants stressed the importance of strengthening the teaching of Rwandan history, particularly among the youth, and countering divisive narratives spread through social media that seek to undermine or destabilize the nation.