The Rwandan youth in the United Araba Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain was reminded that the love for Rwanda and her people is a winning secret in every battle they may face.

The call was echoed by Minister Rosemary Mbabazi, Ambassador Emmanuel Hategeka and Major General Emmanuel Bayingana during the Virtual Youth Forum for Rwandan Youth in UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain in celebration of the 27th Liberation Day.  The event with the theme “The Role of the Youth in building the Rwanda we want – post the Liberation struggle” was held on 9 July, 2021.

Opening the forum, Ambassador Hategeka said that Rwanda is not limited to land boundaries. He noted “The meaning of Rwanda extends to a growth and expansion mindset and Rwanda is present wherever a Rwandan or friend of Rwanda is regardless of geographical boundaries. Rwanda’s development is built on collaboration of all Rwandans and friends of Rwanda.” He urged the youth to learn from young men and women who took the lead in Rwanda’s liberation struggle back in the 1990s always standout as embodiment of Rwandan values of hard work, courage, integrity and self-respect wherever they may be in the world.

 “The youth of today is reminded that unconditional love for their country Rwanda and Rwandans should come first because nothing can be achieved without having the love for your country. Especially for the Rwandan youth living abroad, we urge them to work hard, to learn new skills, learn new practices, and make good connections for their benefit and for the country’s benefit.”

Ambassador Hategeka emphasized on the role of the youth in delivering Rwanda’s vision 2050, underlining that the future of Rwanda is in the hands of the youth, therefore “Your role and participation are highly important. We are investing in our youth through numerous programs. We want the youth that moves forward, not backward, in the ongoing race for development, the youth that advances the legacy of the liberation struggle.”

Rwanda needed us, now is your turn

Major General Emmanuel Bayingana, the Permanent Secretary at Rwanda Ministry of Defense who took part in the armed struggle for the liberation of Rwanda between 1990 and 1994 shared his experience with the youth. He explained how the youth at the time felt the responsibility to liberate Rwanda in order to give Rwandans real independence and restore dignity for all Rwandans.

“When we started the liberation struggle, we felt Rwanda needed us. We fought for our return home as refugees by then but also wanted to restore dignity that Rwandans deserved. Those who were in the country lived a life of uncertainty and segregation while those in exile were refused their right to return,” he said.

He told the youth that the struggle was tough but their motivation to fight on was the love for Rwanda imparted by parents and RPF movement.

“We were motivated by the love for Rwanda. Rwanda really needed us, the country needed to be liberated and the armed struggle was necessary as the very last option. But the struggle of the youth today is not also that easy, the struggle of competing in technology and business. But the secret I can tell you is that when you strive for the betterment of Rwanda and Rwandans you absolutely win, be it an armed struggle, business or technology,” Major General Emmanuel Bayingana emphasized.

Dignified youth representing a country with dignity  

The Minister of Youth and Culture, Hon. Rosemary Mbabazi told the youth that they are lucky to “Have a country everyone can call home, a country you feel proud of and where you are allowed to do what you need to develop."

“You do not only have a country but a country with dignity that makes her people proud wherever they are. We build a country with dignity because we want the youth with dignity.  The youth with a dignified life where you are because you represent a country with dignity,” Minister Mbabazi reminded the youth.

The Youth and Culture Minister explained that the Government of Rwanda has implemented a number of policies and programs aimed at increasing health and capacities of the youth to enable them to create jobs or compete for jobs on labor market. She also urged the youth to learn and know the true history of Rwanda so that they do not fall prey to ill-intentioned individuals who promote false narratives about Rwanda.

Rwanda-based young entrepreneurs Umugiraneza Regis and Ibthal Arafat shared their experience of how they harnessed available opportunities to start their businesses that have created jobs for other youth.

The youth living UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain pledged to contribute their skills and experience to Rwanda’s development through establishing links with companies in Rwanda for knowledge sharing, linking business people in Kigali to commercial hubs like Dubai, among others.  “I encourage my colleagues to share knowledge with their counterparts in Rwanda. To young entrepreneurs in Rwanda, we are ready to support you with our knowledge and link you to potential partners in UAE,” Aimé Musonerwa, a Rwandan IT Professional working in Dubai said.  

The virtual Youth Forum connected over 300 hundred young Rwandans in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Rwanda and across the world via Webex and YouTube.