President Paul Kagame viewing Kigali city at the pinnacle of Ubumwe Hotel
President Paul Kagame has mentioned two factors that helped the country to be successful and secure in the just ended 2018.
“Thanks to the steadfast unity and wisdom of Rwandans, our country remained strong and secure and that will always be the case,” Kagame said during End of Year message.
The country remained strong despite attempts by the neighbours to threaten its security.
The president said, that Rwanda is in strong relation with African brothers, “but there are still challenges in our region.”
He said;“Some neighbours have tried to revive the threat caused by FDLR, RNC and other negative forces.”
And according to the president, this threatens regional integration efforts.
“This jeopardises the otherwise good progress in East African integration as well as regional security,” he said.
The president Kagame said that two neighbours are in a plan to threaten Rwandan security, but they play different roles in that project.
“For one of our neighbour, we expect it. However, we are surprised by another neighbour where the evidence we have and which they must also have, shows clearly complicity, despite public denials,” Kagame said.
He however said that the matter is being handled, and the country continues talking with neighbours in the spirit of African solidarity.
Otherwise the president said that 2018 has been a good and productive year.
“Our economy continues to grow, anchored on unity and solidarity of Rwandans,” he said.
“Governance and social cohesion also continue to get stronger.”
Kagame is thankful that in other areas including sports, “our athletes increasingly made their mark internationally, especially our cyclists.”
Despite good progress however, the president said that economically, “there are still people in our communities who need our support.”
As per Rwandan value, he said the rest of the members of the communities should help them.
On the continental scene, the president also noted the good progress.
“Africa became more united and Rwanda contributed to that process,” he said.
Kagame is the current chair of the African union. He contributed much to the reform of the union and the creation of continental trade area which will be into force any time this year.
President Kagame told Rwandans; “We have a lot to look forward to but there is also hard work that needs to be done to bring our country to where we want it to be.”
