The Head of State made these remarks during the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed Chief Justice, Domitilla Mukantaganzwa, and Deputy Chief Justice, Alphonse Hitiyaremye.
'Hoarding and misusing public resources that should serve the interests of Rwandans must end, and there is no better way to stop this than through justice,' President Kagame emphasized.
'I believe that if the laws and justice system we have are properly implemented, they can help us address these issues. [...] We still have a long way to go but we are determined to get there, and as quickly as possible,' he added.
The President also acknowledged that the country's setbacks stem from poor practices, stating, 'If we unite to fight them, we can put an end to them, and our country will progress.'
The President reflected on Rwanda's painful history of injustice, much of it shaped by divisive political dynamics that led to the loss of many lives.
Rwanda's experienced dark past where over a million people were killed 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. This genocide resulted from decades of oppression and divisive politics, forcing many Rwandans into exile.
However, 30 years after the Genocide, Rwanda has risen from the ashes, transforming into a prosperous and resilient nation that serves as a beacon of hope and a role model for many countries worldwide.
Despite these remarkable strides, there are still individuals who harbor genocidal ideologies and continue to spread hate, and there have been reports of survivors of the Genocide being targeted and killed.
President Kagame emphasized that the path forward must be guided by the strict application of justice and the rule of law.
'There should be no substitute for justice, but where justice fails, other actions must follow,' he warned, reinforcing that the law must be the ultimate guide.
He also addressed those who continue to undermine the country's progress, stressing the need for a collective effort to maintain peace and stability.
'There are still people who want to take us back to the past,' Kagame said, urging that those who attempt to reverse Rwanda's progress be held accountable through justice.
The President called on leaders, especially in the judiciary, to continue building on the country's achievements and to take further steps toward creating a more just and prosperous Rwanda.
After taking the oath of office, Mukantaganzwa thanked President Kagame for the trust placed in her and pledged to diligently fulfill her duties, working towards delivering fair and timely justice to Rwandans.
She reflected on the judicial reforms implemented after the Genocide against the Tutsi and emphasized the need for further improvements to ensure more efficient services.
Mukantaganzwa also vowed to build on the achievements of her predecessors, consolidate gains, and promote accountability and integrity as core values to uphold.
IGIHE
