The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)
6 July 2009
Kigali — Father of the Nation, the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere was yesterday honoured by the government of Rwanda as the country marked its 15th anniversary of liberation.
In a rather moving moment, the Rwandan Prosecutor General Martin Ngoga, who grew up in exile in Tanzania, gave a citation by President Paul Kagame in Kiswahili of the epic story of Mwalimu Nyerere, as a renowned Pan-Africanist, visionary leader and statesman whose ideas and moral advice contributed to the success of the Rwandan struggle.
"Mwalimu, you were a great leader who taught us that personal humility is consistent with high office-and that recognizing and admitting one's mistake is a sign of strength not weakness.
Your political thinking and unwavering courage in the defence of freedom and the rights of the oppressed will forever remain in the annals of world history," the citation read in part.
President Kagame presented the two honours URUTI-Rwanda's National Liberation Medal to the emotional Mrs.
Nyerere for the former Tanzanian leader's contribution to the struggle and Umurinzi-Rwanda's Campaign against Genocide Medal for his efforts to condemn the Genocide when it broke out and the call for the international community to act.
"In your memory, Mwalimu Nyerere, we salute Tanzania's unreserved hospitality to countless Rwandans, in line with your belief that no African should be a refugee in another country.
"Innumerable Rwandans enjoyed this Tanzanian hospitality. Alongside Tanzania's children, our own were given access to education, health, jobs, and they were integrated into society.
"Equally important, during our own struggle for liberation, Tanzania opened its doors again, and you devoted significant time and effort to achieve a peaceful conclusion to the negotiations that your country hosted. Rwanda thanks Tanzania for this unwavering support.
"For these and many other accomplishments, we mark our admiration and appreciation for your exemplary qualities, leadership as well as the support of the people of Tanzania."
The same medals were presented to Ethiopian Prime Minister Melas Zenawi for his intervention in 1994, to try and bring to a halt the genocide as it ravaged Rwanda, and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.
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