Rwanda embassy in Amman celebrates 30th anniversary of Liberation Day

AMMAN — Approximately 300 guests gathered on Thursday to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of Rwanda's Liberation Day, marking the first celebration of this significant event in Amman following the recent inauguration of the Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, according to a statement for The Jordan Times. 

Distinguished attendees included Her Royal Highness Princess Basma Bint Talal, Yousef Alshamali, Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply, alongside senators, members of parliament, ambassadors, and various representatives from the diplomatic corps, business sector, academia, civil society, and the Rwandan community in Jordan.

In her address, Ambassador Urujeni Bakuramutsa underscored the importance of celebrating Rwanda’s first Liberation Day event in Amman, coinciding with the recent inauguration of Rwanda's Resident Embassy in Jordan.

She noted that Liberation Day is a moment for Rwandans to express deep gratitude for the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA), led by President Paul Kagame, whose courageous efforts ended the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and freed the nation. 

The Ambassador highlighted that Liberation Day signifies the closure of a turbulent period before 1994, a time marred by state-led division, hatred, and nepotism. Ambassador Urujeni stressed that Liberation Day is a celebration of its present and a reaffirmation of its future. This day embodies the resilience, unity, and resolve of the Rwandan people to forge a nation founded on peace, justice, and prosperity.

Echoing the words of President Kagame "the endpoint of the liberation struggle was to build a state in which each of us is valued, and Rwandan citizens are always at the centre of government action,” the statement said.

During the event, Bakuramutsa highlighted Rwanda’s transformative journey over the past 30 years, marked by recovery and significant progress. She detailed how the nation has implemented a variety of home-grown solutions tailored to meet its unique challenges effectively. These initiatives include the Gacaca Courts, which have facilitated justice and reconciliation, the deployment of Community Health Workers to improve healthcare access, and the Girinka programme, which enhances food security by providing a cow to every needy family.

Furthermore, Bakuramutsa emphasised Rwanda’s role on the international stage, sharing its lessons learned with other nations facing similar challenges and actively contributing to global peacekeeping efforts. She underscored Rwanda's commitment to security, good governance, and economic growth, which have fundamentally reshaped the country and demonstrated the resilience of the Rwandan people.

Bakuramutsa praised the strong relationship between Rwanda and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, attributing its success to the visionary and people-centred leadership of both nations.

She highlighted Jordan’s crucial role in promoting regional stability and its outstanding humanitarian efforts. The Ambassador stressed the importance of solidarity and collaboration, noting that the connection between Rwanda and Jordan transcends typical diplomatic ties to form a deep partnership based on mutual respect, shared goals, and a unified vision for a peaceful and prosperous future.

She further pointed out that the expanding cooperation across various sectors, including trade, tourism, health, and investment, exemplifies the robust potential of this partnership.

The event included a screening of a "Visit Rwanda" video, which Ambassador Bakuramutsa referenced inviting the audience to explore Rwanda's stunning landscapes and meet its welcoming people.