https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230704/marking-end-of-struggle-rwanda-celebrates-29th-anniversary-of-liberation-1060320461.html
Marking End of Struggle: Rwanda Celebrates 29th Anniversary of Liberation
Marking End of Struggle: Rwanda Celebrates 29th Anniversary of Liberation
Sputnik Africa
Rwandans celebrate Liberation Day, also known locally as Kwibohora, on July 4. It is a national holiday that marks the defeat of the previous government by the... 04.07.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-07-04T13:53+0200
2023-07-04T13:53+0200
2023-08-03T10:47+0200
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On April 7, on the 29th anniversary of the beginning of the Rwandan genocide, the country's leader Paul Kagame took part in the national commemoration ceremony by lighting the Flame of Hope to start a 100-day national mourning period, which concludes with Liberation Day on July 4.Liberation Day marks the end of the genocide that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and had a significant social and economic impact on Rwanda and neighboring states. As the country commemorates the end of one of the darkest chapters in its history, while celebrating the hope of a new start, Sputnik Africa outlines major events that led to Rwanda's liberation. Background of the HolidayThe population of Rwanda, as well as Burundi and some other countries, consists of two main ethno-social groups: Tutsi and Hutu. Initially, the Hutu were farmers who had long inhabited the region, and the Tutsi were pastoralists who arrived in the area in the 16th century.Subsequently, the Tutsi group became the ruling elite or the ruling minority. Meanwhile, the terms "Tutsi" and "Hutu" acquired a distinct meaning of social status. Friction and skirmishes between the two groups began in 1959, with violence spreading throughout the country. In 1962, Rwanda gained independence under Hutu rule, but skirmishes did not stop.The Tutsi did not want to accept the loss of power, as from the beginning of the 60s right up to 1994, tensions between the Hutu and Tutsi flared up from time to time in Rwanda and neighboring territories. At the beginning of the 1990s, the ethnic clashes turned into a civil war, which lasted from 1990 to 1994. The civil war was a conflict between the Rwandan Armed Forces, representing the government, and the rebel Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF). Attempts to effect peace were sidetracked following the assassination of Rwandan President Juvenal Habyarimana on April 6, 1994, marking the beginning of the genocide. After the attack on the plane carrying the president, the Rwandan Army and the Hutu militias (Interahamwe) started to massacre Tutsi and "moderate" Hutu all over the nation. The wave of violence lasted for about 100 days and came to an end in late June. After months of fighting, on July 4, the RPF under Paul Kagame, eventually defeated the Rwandan Army and liberated Kigali, the Rwandan capital. It declared victory and named Kagame as the new leader of the country. The new government designated July 4 as Liberation Day to pay tribute to the victims of the 1994 events and commemorate the beginning of freedom from oppression.Liberation Day Celebrations Liberation Day is observed in Rwanda shortly after Independence Day on July 1, with great celebrations and festivities across the country. On this day, the government organizes various patriotic and cultural events, including parades, ceremonies, and concerts. The main celebrations traditionally take place in Kigali, with thousands of people and delegates from other African countries visiting the capital city to take part in the event. During the annual military parade at Amahoro Stadium, the president receives the general salute and addresses the nation on the occasion of Liberation Day. According to the Rwandan president, the holiday signifies a lot for the nation.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230408/1058512044.html
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230701/remembering-the-struggle-for-liberation-burundi-and-rwanda-mark-61st-independence-anniversary-1060266715.html
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east africa, rwanda, genocide, colonialism, victims, conflict, paul kagame, politics
east africa, rwanda, genocide, colonialism, victims, conflict, paul kagame, politics
Marking End of Struggle: Rwanda Celebrates 29th Anniversary of Liberation
13:53 04.07.2023 (Updated: 10:47 03.08.2023) Rwandans celebrate Liberation Day, also known locally as Kwibohora, on July 4. It is a national holiday that marks the defeat of the previous government by the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) in the country's civil war and the end of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.
On April 7, on the 29th anniversary of the beginning of the
Rwandan genocide, the country's leader Paul Kagame took part in the national commemoration ceremony by lighting the Flame of Hope to start a 100-day national mourning period, which concludes with Liberation Day on July 4.
Liberation Day marks the end of the genocide that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and had a significant social and economic impact on Rwanda and neighboring states. As the country commemorates the end of one of the darkest chapters in its history, while celebrating the hope of a new start, Sputnik Africa outlines major events that led to Rwanda's liberation.
Background of the Holiday
The population of Rwanda, as well as
Burundi and some other countries, consists of two main ethno-social groups: Tutsi and Hutu. Initially, the Hutu were farmers who had long inhabited the region, and the Tutsi were pastoralists who arrived in the area in the 16th century.
Subsequently, the Tutsi group became the ruling elite or the ruling minority. Meanwhile, the terms "Tutsi" and "Hutu" acquired a distinct meaning of social status. Friction and skirmishes between the two groups began in 1959, with violence spreading throughout the country. In 1962, Rwanda gained independence under Hutu rule, but skirmishes did not stop.
The Tutsi did not want to accept the loss of power, as from the beginning of the 60s right up to 1994, tensions between the Hutu and Tutsi flared up from time to time in Rwanda and neighboring territories. At the beginning of the 1990s, the ethnic clashes turned into a civil war, which lasted from 1990 to 1994.
The civil war was a conflict between the Rwandan Armed Forces, representing the government, and the rebel Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF). Attempts to effect peace were sidetracked following the assassination of Rwandan President Juvenal Habyarimana on April 6, 1994, marking the
beginning of the genocide.
After the attack on the plane carrying the president, the Rwandan Army and the Hutu militias (Interahamwe) started to massacre Tutsi and "moderate" Hutu all over the nation. The wave of violence lasted for about 100 days and came to an end in late June.
After months of fighting, on July 4, the RPF under Paul Kagame, eventually defeated the Rwandan Army and liberated Kigali, the Rwandan capital. It declared victory and named Kagame as the new leader of the country. The new government designated July 4 as Liberation Day to pay tribute to the victims of the 1994 events and commemorate the beginning of freedom from
oppression.
Liberation Day Celebrations
Liberation Day is observed in Rwanda shortly after Independence Day on July 1, with great celebrations and festivities across the country. On this day, the government organizes various patriotic and cultural events, including parades, ceremonies, and concerts.
The main celebrations traditionally
take place in Kigali, with thousands of people and delegates from other African countries visiting the capital city to take part in the event.
During the annual military parade at Amahoro Stadium, the president receives the general salute and addresses the nation on the occasion of Liberation Day. According to the Rwandan president, the holiday signifies a lot for the nation.
"To most of us, Liberation Day is like celebrating the new year," said Kagame during the event held on the eve of Kwibohora on July 2.
