President Paul Kagame has revealed that some individuals once warned him that by publicly criticizing powerful countries, he was putting his life at risk. His response? He would rather die standing for the truth than live a life built on lies.
He made these remarks on April 7, 2025, during the launch of the 31st commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi, held at the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gisozi.
Kagame emphasized that while Rwandans express confidence that genocide will never happen again in their country, there are still those—both perpetrators and their supporters—who wish to see Rwanda destroyed. However, he stated that such plans will never succeed.
“It won’t happen again because there are people willing to rise up and fight. This country won’t disappear just because a few want it gone. How could anyone allow that? Why wouldn’t people rise up and resist?”
He stressed that failing to stand up is as good as accepting death, but taking the initiative to fight back gives a chance not only to survive but to live a dignified life.
“Why not take that chance—stand up and fight? Maybe you’ll survive and live your life with dignity, instead of existing out of someone’s pity.”
Kagame recounted how people once approached him with warnings, saying that criticizing powerful world leaders could get him killed.
“They said, ‘You speak too much against powerful leaders—they’ll kill you.’ I told them, ‘If being alive means accepting that kind of fear, then I’d rather not live at all.’ I’d choose death over living a fake life that’s shaped around pleasing others.”
“Why die like a fly? Why not die fighting? Rwandans, we should never accept to live dishonored lives.”
The President called on Rwandans and Africans at large to reject humiliation and fight for dignity.
“My message to fellow Africans who live daily with such indignity is this: don’t accept it, don’t beg to live. Confront it. If you lose, so be it—but there’s a greater chance that if you fight back, you’ll survive and live a life of worth.”
Kagame also pointed out that many powerful nations try to undermine Rwanda for their own interests, but Rwanda must stay true to its own path.
“We must live our lives on our own terms. We must fight for that. I’ll say this to anyone’s face—even if you think you can punish me, I’ll still speak the truth. You think I should die for that? Fine. Deal with your own issues and leave Rwanda alone.”
This comes shortly after Rwanda cut diplomatic ties with Belgium, accusing it of siding with hostile elements in the region and spreading misinformation aimed at destabilizing Rwanda and the broader region.
