Kigali, 4 July 2019

Rwanda’s silver jubilee celebrations of the Liberation Day were held today at Amahoro Stadium and presided over by President of the Republic and Commander-In-Chief of RDF Paul Kagame.

A military parade by Rwanda Defence Force’s 204 Infantry Brigade of 1 Infantry Division along with Rwanda National Police, poems, patriotic songs and traditional dances marked the event that was attended by thousands of Rwandans and other invited guests.

In his remarks, President Paul Kagame said that for the last twenty-five years, the government has done its best to govern according to the liberation ideals that the liberators fought for; giving the conduct of Rwanda Defence Force as one example. “This fight was necessary, and indeed unavoidable. The vision of unity and justice attracted broad support, because it resonates so strongly with the human spirit. But the proof was in actions, not words,” said President Kagame.

He also saluted the forces from the East African Community partners who have been in Rwanda for the last week where they have been conducting medical outreach exercises.

Besides different African Heads of States present at the occasion, military service chiefs from the region and beyond also graced the event. They include Gen Célestin Mbala Munsense, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC); Gen Samson Mwathethe, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF); Maj Gen Charles Otema Awany, the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) Commander of the Reserve Force.

There was also Lt Gen Jian Yong, Political Commissar of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army; Lt Gen Charles Akor, Deputy Chief of Defence Forces of the Sudan People's Liberation Army; and Maj Gen Alfred Kapinga, Head of Recruitment and Training of the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces.

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