31st Anniversary of Rwanda Liberation Day (Kwibohora31)
The High Commission of the Republic of Rwanda hosted a celebration to mark the 31st Anniversary of Rwanda Liberation Day (Kwibohora31) at New Delhi. The Grand Celebration witnessed the guest over 1,000 including officials from the Government of India, members of the diplomatic corps (Heads of Mission, Diplomats and Defence Attachés) representing 120 countries, business leaders, scholars, media personnel, civil society representatives, friends of Rwanda, and members of the Rwandan community residing in India.
The programme included special addresses from distinguished Indian business leaders with strong ties to Rwanda. Mr. Vivek Kohli, Chairman of Stag Global Private Limited, and Mr. Yash Pal Sachar, Vice President – Corporate Affairs at Ashok Leyland, shared insights on Rwanda’s favourable investment climate, tourism potential, and rapid economic development.
H.E Ms. Jacqueline Mukangira was host of the evening expressed appreciation for the strong ties between Rwanda and India, underpinned by high-level visits and robust development cooperation. The High Commissioner emphasised that Rwanda’s liberation journey, led by the Rwandese Patriotic Front under the leadership of H.E. President Paul Kagame, was a decisive victory over the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, division and discrimination. The liberation marked a new era of good governance, unity and reconciliation, as well as nation-building, she noted.
She further recalled that this year’s Liberation Day also coincided with the 25th anniversary of Rwanda’s diplomatic presence in India. She stated that: “Since opening its mission in New Delhi in 1999, Rwanda has witnessed a remarkable evolution in bilateral relations with India, characterised by deepening cooperation in sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, health, education, and trade”. The High Commissioner commended India for being Rwanda’s second-largest foreign investor and its second-largest trading partner.
The High Commissioner highlighted Rwanda’s recovery process across three key clusters: social, economic, as well as good governance and justice. She also showcased the country’s investment and tourism opportunities, encouraging the audience to visit and invest in Rwanda. In addition, she promoted Rwandan coffee and tea, inviting attendees to experience their distinctive quality and flavour.
In his remarks, Chief Guest Shri Raj Kumar Srivastava, Dean of the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service, praised Rwanda's remarkable reconciliation efforts following the tragic 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. He also lauded the strong partnership between Rwanda and India, mentioning Rwanda's status as a development model in Africa.
The ceremony included the national anthems of Rwanda and India, performed by students from Bal Bharati Public School. It featured cultural performances by Rwandan students and an Indian troupe from Haryana, along with an exhibition showcasing Rwanda’s investment and tourism opportunities.
