The wide spread criticism cannot deter Rwanda from doing what it has to do to secure the country, President Paul Kagame said in his first message of 2024 while closing 2023.
“I want you to know that we can absorb any amount of criticism, however unjustified,” The Rwandan leader said last night at midnight.
He added, “We will always do what is necessary, to ensure that Rwandans are safe and secure, no matter what.”
“We are also dealing with insecurity in our region, and on our border,”President Kagame said in a televised message also broadcast via different platforms and closely followed.
“Within our means, Rwanda will continue to do what we can to help our brothers and sisters elsewhere in Africa to restore peace and security.
Any year, in every place in the world, there will be problems. Adversity is just an invitation to become more determined, and do more and better,” He said.
Rwanda has throughout last year endured sharp criticisms from DRC and Burundi’s leaders who accuse Kigali of interfering in its internal matters.
Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo who allegedly secured a landslide victory in the December 20 elections with 73% of the vote recently threatened to capture Kigali he accuses of supporting the M23 rebels.
Kigali has sternly rejected the accusations peddled by Kinshasa. Kigali says Kinshasa continues to arm and protect FDLR designated by Washington as a terrorist group.
FDLR in collaboration with the Congolese forces have on many occasions launched attacks inside Rwanda killing civilians and destroying property.
Burundi and Rwanda have started the year 2024 under a diplomatic row following accusations by President Evariste Ndayishimiye that Kigali backing RED-Tabara blamed for a string of attacks in Burundi.
“These armed groups have been provided with shelter, food, offices and money from the country that hosts them. I mean Rwanda,” Ndayishimiye said at an event in eastern Burundi broadcast by local media.
“I told Rwanda it should know that if it continues to help someone who kills children, it is cultivating the virus of hatred between the peoples of these two countries,” Ndayishimiye said.
He said Burundi had been trying in vain for two years to persuade Kigali to hand over the rebels so they can face justice.
“I think the future is bleak for this country that is helping them,” he added, without elaborating.
On Saturday, President Kagame had hosted an end of year party at the prestigious Kigali Convention Centre attended by thousands.
He said, “Because of our history, when we started rebuilding this country, the starting point was so low that we could not go any lower.
The result is that today, the only way is up and nothing can stand in our way. This does not happen on its own.
It is a result of the choices we have made, our determination and a mindset that believes we will do what it takes no matter how difficult.”
