Rwandan President Paul Kagame has sent a clear message to Rwanda's security forces and the international community: Rwanda does not seek conflict, but it will respond decisively to any threat to its sovereignty.
Addressing over 6,000 officers and other ranks from the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), Rwanda National Police (RNP), and Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS) at Gabiro Combat Training Centre, Kagame emphasized discipline, integrity, and national unity as the backbone of Rwanda's security.
"We do not start wars against anyone; we only respond when a war is waged against us. That is the principle; it is the ethos of Rwanda and the RDF," he told the officers on Monday.
Kagame's remarks come amid longstanding regional scrutiny over Rwanda's role in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where Kigali has faced accusations of supporting armed groups in the volatile border provinces.
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Kagame has consistently denied such allegations, insisting that Rwanda's interventions, when they occur, are aimed at protecting its citizens and ensuring regional stability.
"We are not people who seek war. But we are fighters. The RDF's goal is not to kill or hurt, except when others, who do not wish Rwanda well, bring war upon Rwanda. We fight to make it clear that when they start a war, it will not be theirs to finish," Kagame added.
The President also highlighted that Rwanda's security is a collective, national responsibility, extending beyond the military to include the police and correctional services.
"A soldier's greatest weapon is not the gun, but the discipline and integrity behind it," he said, stressing that professionalism and unity are central to maintaining peace and security.
Reflecting on Rwanda's history, Kagame reminded officers of the country's resilience in the face of past adversity and external pressures.
He underscored that foreign assistance must support, not replace, Rwanda's sovereignty and development.
"We, as a people, decide for ourselves, we choose what is right for us, and we work to provide for ourselves. Any support we receive should add to what we already have; it should not strip us of our inherent rights," Kagame said.
Analysts say Kagame's address serves as both a reassurance to Rwandans and a subtle geopolitical signal to regional neighbors and international observers: Rwanda remains committed to peace but will not hesitate to defend itself against external threats.
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The remarks also reinforce Kigali's narrative of self-reliance, national discipline, and measured engagement in regional security matters.
As Rwanda continues to train and modernize its security forces, Kagame's message underscores a principle that has guided the country since the 1994 genocide: peace is sought, but defense is guaranteed.
