President Kagame recalls new RDF officers that their duties go beyond waging wars

President Paul Kagame and the Commander-in-Chief of the Rwandan Armed Forces has said that those who believe that the role of an army is to wage wars are mistaken.

The Head of State made the remarks while awarding the rank of 2nd lieutenant to 624 young men and women who completed their studies at the Gako Military Academy on Monday, April 15. Of them, 573 are male and 51 are female.

President Paul Kagame praised the graduates and their families who allowed them to join the work of protecting the country.

He went on to say that “these officers have been here for more than a year in courses and training, they have gained different skills and abilities. They have reached this stage because they behaved well, showing strength, skills and good behavior, which is what enabled them to successfully complete this course.”

He reminded them that one of their primary duties is to maintain the security of the country and Rwandans.

 “There are some who believe that the role of an army is to wage wars. That is a mistake. The armed forces of our country do not exist to create or provoke wars”, He said.

“The history of our country is one where people were killed by fellow citizens, as a result of bad politics, both internally and externally. Children, the elderly, young men and women were asked to choose the weapon of their death. The training of our armed forces, and the knowledge of our past, cannot allow for our tragic history to ever repeat itself in this country. That is your responsibility as the armed forces of this country: yours, the elders you are joining today and anyone who will come after you. And you must pursue it with dedication and integrity,” He insisted.