Rwandan President Paul Kagame has issued a powerful call for Africans to break free from what he described as a lingering culture of submission, urging a transformation of mindsets to protect the dignity and interests of their people.
Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony of the new government, led by Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva, Kagame condemned the “staggering” levels of disrespect that Rwandans and Africans endure and questioned the continent’s tolerance of such treatment.
“The level of disrespect Rwandans and Africans experience every day is staggering. But we must ask ourselves: why do we tolerate it? What are we missing to reject it?” Kagame asked during his address.
He stressed that Africans must prioritize their own dignity and responsibilities above external pressures. “We are not here to serve the interests of others – we serve our people,” he said, emphasizing that standing firm on self-determination is one of the most important battles the continent must fight.
Kagame called for a decisive evolution in the way Africans perceive themselves and their future, stating: “We cannot remain the same Rwandans, the same Africans as 100 or even 50 years ago. We must evolve.”
His remarks came as Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva, the newly appointed Prime Minister and former Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda, officially assumed office. Nsengiyumva, appointed on 23 July to succeed Édouard Ngirente—who had served since 2017—will oversee the formation of a new Cabinet within the 15-day period mandated by the Constitution.
Kagame’s speech not only marked the transition to a new government but also reinforced his longstanding message of self-reliance and resilience for Rwanda and Africa at large. By tying the call for dignity to political renewal, the president urged citizens and leaders alike to shed the shadows of history and shape a future built on sovereignty, respect, and African pride.
About The Author
