Speaking at the Kwibuka31 ceremony in Kigali, Kagame reflected on Rwanda's traumatic past and the persistent challenges of the present, declaring that the trials the country has endured have only strengthened its resolve.
'What didn't kill us and finish us 31 years ago has hardened us,' Kagame said. 'It has prepared us for the bad things that will always come any time these people want and wish. Honestly, I want to assure you, we will not dieâ€"not fighting like last time.'
The president emphasised that Rwanda's survival and progress since the genocide were not the result of favours from external powers, but of a conscious choice by Rwandans to stand up and fight for their dignity. He urged citizens to maintain the spirit.
"I've had people come to me and warn me and say, 'President, you know, you are too vocal. You say things that challenge these people who have the power in their hands, and they're going to kill you.' But my answer to them is, you know what? If I were to be there to just accept these things to happen, I don't think I would count myself as living anyway. It's like I would already be dead.
"To live a life of lies, of pretense, and all my life to somebody else. I would be dead anyway. So why don't I die fighting? So, you Rwandans, why don't you die fighting instead of dying anyway?" he stated.
In a pointed critique of the international community, Kagame lashed out at what he described as hypocrisy and selective outrage from powerful nations and institutions, particularly in their handling of the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
He accused certain Western countries of turning a blind eye to hate speech and violence against Congolese Tutsi communities, many of whom have sought refuge in Rwanda, while simultaneously demonising Rwanda for the crisis.
'They expect us to accept it also ourselves, in broad daylightâ€"hate speech, killings of people for their identity, uprooting them from their homes,' Kagame said, referring to the over 125,000 refugees now in Rwanda from eastern DRC.
Kagame also condemned what he called 'fools leading countries and being used as puppets,' accusing some African leaders of squandering national wealth and collaborating with foreign interests at the expense of their own people.
'Find billionaires in a sea of povertyâ€"millions going hungry. These are the ones received in Western capitals and praised. And when Rwanda is being crucified... these are the ones who show up, and everybody is doing their bidding.'
The president's remarks were equally unfiltered in response to threats of sanctions and criticisms from foreign diplomats and UN officials over claims of Rwanda's involvement in the conflict in the eastern DRC. He mocked the so-called "group of experts" frequently cited in international reports, questioning their legitimacy and understanding of Rwanda's context.
'These are people who are supposed to know better our situation than ourselves. Can you imagine?' he asked. 'And the ones who did those groups are the very people connected with this history I'm talking about.'
The Head of State maintained that Rwanda will not be intimidated or shamed into silence. He reiterated that the worst had already happened in 1994 and that no future threat could undo the determination forged in the aftermath.
'The worstâ€"the hurricaneâ€"came, and we took cover, and it has passed, and we rebuilt. We rebuilt our strength of all kinds,' Kagame remarked. 'I don't think there's any other hurricane that will come and sweep across the country, destroying everything.'
April 7 is recognised as the International Day of Reflection on the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994. The day is observed globally to honour the memory of more than one million lives lost in just 100 days.
Earlier, President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame lit a flame of hope at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, marking the official start of the commemoration week and the 100 days of remembrance activities.
The First Family also laid wreaths on the mass graves and paid tribute to the victims.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
