Kagame prioritises regional peace in inauguration speech, criticises external meddling
By Mwangi Maina |
Kagame also commended Kenyan President William Ruto for his ongoing efforts to promote regional peace, despite the stalling of the Nairobi Process under the leadership of Ruto's predecessor, President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame emphasised the importance of peace in the region during his inauguration speech on Sunday, acknowledging the ongoing crises that continue to breed uncertainty and distrust globally.
Keep reading
He pointed to unaddressed inequalities and double standards as key contributors to instability.
Kagame specifically referenced the situation in the Eastern DRC, where Rwanda has been accused of exacerbating conflicts—a claim his government has consistently denied.
"Peace in our region is a priority for Rwanda, yet it has been lacking, particularly in the eastern DRC," Kagame stated, addressing a gathering of African and regional leaders.
He emphasised that if the primary stakeholders fail to take the necessary steps, external forces, regardless of their power, cannot impose peace.
"Without that, the sincere mediation efforts by the mandated regional leaders cannot work as intended," Kagame noted, expressing gratitude to Angolan President João Lourenço, who has been leading the Luanda Peace Process, which recently facilitated a ceasefire between the DRC and Rwanda.
Kagame also commended Kenyan President William Ruto for his ongoing efforts to promote regional peace, despite the stalling of the Nairobi Process under the leadership of Ruto's predecessor, President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi has previously accused Ruto of hijacking this process.
"Peace cannot happen all on its own," Kagame asserted, urging all involved parties to contribute actively and responsibly to achieving and sustaining peace.
He argued that maintaining peace should be considered an obligation rather than a favour. "It is an obligation. In the end, when it doesn't happen, that's why people stand up and fight for it," he said.
Kagame, whose country has been at odds with neighbouring DRC and Burundi—nations that notably did not send representatives to the inauguration—highlighted the necessity of respecting people's rights as a foundation for real peace.
"You can't wake up one day and decide to deny whoever you want their citizenship rights and expect to get away with it. There has to be a meeting in the middle. There has to be a compromise," he concluded.
Kagame was sworn in for a fourth term of five years, extending his leadership to nearly a quarter century in office.
Reader comments
Follow Us and Stay Connected!
We'd love for you to join our community and stay updated with our latest stories and updates. Follow us on our social media channels and be part of the conversation!
Let's stay connected and keep the dialogue going!