Standing Strong: President Kagame Urges Rwandan Forces to Protect Sovereignty and Stay Vigilant

The Commander-in-Chief of the Rwandan Armed Forces, President Paul Kagame, has emphasized that no one has the right to dictate how Rwanda should live. He called on the Rwandan Armed Forces to reveal the truth to those spreading falsehoods, who seek to incite war and violence, in order to continue safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and the well-being of Rwandans.

He made these remarks on August 25, 2025, during a speech to over 6,000 soldiers, police officers, and prison guards at Gabiro Military Base in the Eastern Province.

President Kagame expressed gratitude to the military personnel for their dedicated, important, and necessary service to the nation. He acknowledged their long-term commitment to defending Rwanda and protecting its people.

Reflecting on Rwanda’s history, he noted that it has taught the Rwandan people many lessons—especially from times of sorrow and hardship. Yet, he reaffirmed that Rwanda will endure and not disappear.

The President also addressed the issue of external influences claiming to be creators or originators, clarifying that such claims are false. He stated that if anyone has contributed to Rwanda’s development, they come from outside the country and that their contributions are supplementary, not replacive. He emphasized, “What this means is that as human beings, even if our livelihood is sourced from elsewhere, it should complement what you already have. It will not replace or take away your rights or your identity. It will be added to yours, and you should be grateful for it.”

President Kagame further asserted that those who give Rwandans anything do not possess the right to claim they created the nation. He reminded security forces of their tremendous responsibility to protect Rwandans from predators who seek to harm or exploit them.

He warned, “There are wolves out there. If you turn away, they will seize what’s yours or take what they want. The Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) is responsible for ensuring that Rwandans are safe from such threats.”

He pointed out that threats to Rwanda often do not originate from within the country but from external sources. Rwanda, he said, does not provoke conflicts; however, when a threat arises, its troops must stand ready to defend the nation.

“Fighting back may result in casualties and injuries,” he acknowledged, “but the aim is not to kill or injure unnecessarily. Rather, when others misunderstand Rwanda or wish it harm and provoke war, that’s when our military role becomes clear. ”

He reminded the armed forces that if they must engage in war, victory should be assured—not through reckless fighting but through resilience and determination so that Rwanda’s enemies regret their actions.

President Kagame concluded by warning that those wishing Rwanda harm often seek to remove its leadership, install their own, or even kill or manipulate key figures.

He urged his forces to stay vigilant, stating, “We must always be prepared because we do not know where threats may come from or when they will arrive.”