Rwanda’s President Kagame warns of challenging 2015

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Written by Linda Hohnholz

KIGALI, Rwanda – President Paul Kagame has said Rwanda’s achievements should be safeguarded and warned of a challenging 2015 as the country braces for growing regional uncertainty.

KIGALI, Rwanda – President Paul Kagame has said Rwanda’s achievements should be safeguarded and warned of a challenging 2015 as the country braces for growing regional uncertainty.

“Whatever we want to achieve in 2015, we shouldn’t avoid inevitable change even though it seems difficult,” he said. “Each of you should strive to achieve own set goals.”

In a 3-minute message for the NewYear, Kagame added: “Nobody should work alone. Find others with whom you share goals and work together. We always move forward when we look after each other.”

The optimistic Kagame said this year might have unavoidable challenges.

The country’s economy remained stronger which by the end of September 2014, expanded by 7.8%, growing by over $2b from $1.8b same time last year.

Since 2006, Kagame has been advocating for a private sector led growth in line with the country’s signature development plan, vision 2020.

In a recent survey by the country’s Private sector Federation, over 88 Collective Investment groups have raised about $450m in equity and invested in various sectors which boost the economy.

The country’s mining sector was impressive, becoming world’s single largest producer and exporter of Coltan.

In 2013 alone Rwanda exported 2,466,025kgs of tantalum โ€“ accounting for 28% of total 8,807,232Kg of tantalum produced globally.

As always, President is conscious about security. He advised Rwandans to stand firm and protect achievements made over the last two decades after the traumatic genocide.

“Let’s …protect the gains we have made,” Kagame said emphasizing that security remains Rwanda’s core foundation against which many achievements and hopes continue to be built on.

In a related development, in a separate message for the Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF), President Kagame said they must stand their ground as regional insecurity intensifies.

Kagame told the security forces that 2015 brings new challenges and opportunities.

“We will undoubtedly be confronted with more threats and hardships; but with our spirit, experience and belief, I am confident that we will continue to prevail,” he said.

From a regional and international point of view, Kagame praised the over 5000 Rwanda Defense Forces and the police officers for their contribution to peacekeeping missions in conflict zones of Central African Republic, Mali, Sudan, South Sudan, Liberia and Haiti. Rwanda ranks 6th globally among major UN peacekeeping contributors.

About the author

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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