By Leticia Moshwe, Global Peace Ambassador

Dear People of Rwanda,

Visiting your beautiful nation was a humbling and transformative experience. I walked the streets of Kigali, marveled at the breathtaking landscapes, and bore witness to a nation that has risen from the ashes of tragedy to becoming what it is today. Your commitment to reconciliation, unity within the country, and progress has inspired countless nations. The Rwandan story is one of resilience, a testament to the indomitable human spirit.

The wounds of 1994 —the unspeakable genocide that tore apart families and communities—are still a scar on humanity’s conscience. Yet, you have refused to let the past define your nation. Through your leadership, you have shown the world that it is possible to forge peace out of despair, love out of hatred, and unity out of division. Indeed, I experienced, first hand, the peace that the people of Rwanda have between one another. This transformation is a powerful reminder that healing and hope are possible, no matter how deep the pain.

It is with this admiration that I write to you now, deeply saddened by what is unfolding in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The reports, though troubling, are a stark contrast to the values of peace, unity, and reconciliation that Rwanda embodies within its borders. To see a nation that understands the profound pains of division, profound pains of senseless bloodshed embroiled in a conflict that exacerbates the suffering of its neighbours is heart-breaking.

Rwanda, you know better than anyone the cost of hatred and violence. You have lived it. You have risen above it. The world looks to you as a moral compass, a nation that vowed, “Never again.” And yet, the cries of displaced families in Goma, DRC echo disturbingly close to the tragedies of the past.

I urge you, as brothers and sisters of humanity, to reflect on the principle of Ubuntu—the African philosophy that declares, “I am because we are.” Your destiny is intertwined with that of your neighbours. The prosperity of Rwanda cannot flourish in isolation while pain festers across the border. What message does it send to the world if Rwanda, a nation of hope and renewal, is seen as a contributor to the despair of others?

I do not write this to cast blame or judgment but to appeal to the heart of the Rwandan people. You have known the depths of despair and the triumph of reconciliation. Now is the time to lean into that legacy, to be peacemakers and bridge builders, and to stand as allies to those who need compassion and aid.

The path to peace is never easy, but it is always worth walking. Rwanda’s leadership has the power to turn the tide—to foster dialogue, to champion diplomatic solutions, and to lead with the same courage that rebuilt a fractured nation. This is your chance to honour your past by ensuring that your actions today sow seeds of peace rather than discord.

To the people of Rwanda, I implore you to speak out for peace, to demand that your nation’s role in the region reflects the values you hold dear. Let the spirit of reconciliation guide your actions. Let the legacy of 1994 serve as a reminder that the cost of division is too great to bear.

Together, we can create a future where the children of Africa grow up in harmony, where borders are bridges rather than battlegrounds, and where the lessons of history shape a world of love, not conflict.

May Rwanda reflect on this matter, and may its light illuminate the path to peace for all.

With love and solidarity,

DR Leticia Moshwe
Global Peace Ambassador