President Paul Kagame has commended Rwandans for their unity and resilience, saying the country stands out for the strength and character of its citizens despite repeated external efforts to sow division.
He made the remarks on Friday, December 19, 2025, while addressing the 17th National Congress of the FPR Inkotanyi, where he reflected on Rwanda’s journey from a history marked by divisive politics and genocide to a nation united around shared values and purpose.
The President noted that various foreign actors have attempted to reignite divisions among Rwandans, but these efforts have consistently failed due to the strong sense of national unity. He observed that attempts to manipulate internal differences and push the country back into past conflicts have not succeeded because citizens remain united.
President Kagame linked these external pressures to accusations by some international actors alleging Rwanda’s involvement with AFC/M23 and claims that the country contributes to instability in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. He said such narratives form part of broader efforts to undermine Rwanda but have not weakened national cohesion.
He emphasized that unity and collective action are central to effective leadership and sustainable development, noting that progress is achieved when individuals understand their responsibilities while working together toward shared national goals.
Recent governance data supports this message of public confidence and cohesion. The Rwanda Governance Scorecard (RGS), released by the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), shows that the pillar of inclusive and participatory governance improved to 86.31 percent, up from 85.84 percent the previous year.
The findings indicate growing trust in leadership and a strong sense of national pride among citizens.
These results align with national surveys on unity, reconciliation, and resilience conducted every five years. The 2025 National Unity survey by the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement shows that the level of unity among Rwandans has reached 95.3 percent.
Previously, in 2020, the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission reported a reconciliation rate of 94.7 percent, underscoring continued progress in strengthening social cohesion.
