By Alseny Ben Bangoura
The Ambassador of Rwanda to the United States, Prof Mathilde Mukantabana, on Thursday July 6th, hosted a colorful diplomatic reception in Washington to celebrate 29 years of Liberation known as (Kwibohora), locally celebrated on July 4.
« Kwibohora » commemorates the day the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) seized control of the relatively small landlocked, hilly country in Central Africa, devasted by an unprecedented mayhem that killed nearly one million people, mostly Tutsi, as the world sat and watched.
The Rwandan Patriotic Front led by the current President Paul Kagame, ultimately defeated the perpetrators of this mass killing -believed to be the country’s previous regime and armed Hutu rebels -, ending the genocide in Rwanda.
The diplomatic event held at the marble floors Fairmont Hotel in the nation’s capital was marked by speeches and cultural performances featuring Rwandan artists in Washington metropolitan area.
It brought together friends of Rwanda, journalists and diplomats including the State Department Director for Central Africa Gregory Morrison, and the Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps in the United States, Ambassador Serge Mombouli of the Republic of Congo.
Mr. Mombouli used the occasion to congratulate the Rwandan people and laud the relationship between Brazzaville and Kigali.
In a prepared remarks that lasted for over 10 minutes, Ambassador Mathilde Mukantabana stressed the historic importance of « Kwibohora » for Rwandan people. A story of heroism and sacrifice that profoundly change the world forever. Full remarks…
The diplomat also reflected on the current economic success of Rwanda, a fast-developing economy in Africa, before calling for unity among African in general to address multiple challenges facing the continent, ranging from Climate change, Sustainable development, Food insecurity and threats posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
As she concluded her remarks, Ambassador Mukantabana lauded the relationship between Rwanda and the United States, a country that has been a reliable partner in recent years, providing support in critical sectors of development such as education, healthcare and information technology, she said. AlloAfricaNews
