There’s no peace without forgiveness – First Lady says

The First Lady, Mrs. Jeannette Kagame has said that the world will not experience the love and the grace of humanity let alone God until there is genuine pursuit of peace.

Mrs Kagame was on Wednesday night speaking at the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain States Congressional Dinner IV, organised ahead of the 68th US National Prayer Breakfast, and will share Rwanda's journey towards Unity and Reconciliation in Washington D.C, the U.S.

"It is through, the genuine pursuit of peace, that we can truly experience, the Glory, the Grace and, the Love of God, both at national and personal levels," First Lady Jeannette Kagame said.

“I truly believe that, exchanges and gatherings such as these, are fuel for hope and love – they are our bond of humanity, and give us the much needed impetus and perspective, to take on bigger and more complex challenges, that each new year, is bound to bring,” She added.

During the event, First Lady also shared Rwanda's journey towards Unity and #Reconciliation.

Mrs Kagame gave an account of how on February 3, 1994, in in Washington D.C, the late Mother Teresa of Calcutta, addressed the National Prayer Breakfast.

First Lady said that, Mother Theresa, in her address, called upon the audience to recite the prayer of St. Francis – that, in sum, called on Christians and the people of God, to be instruments of peace. She invoked the audience to pray for peace, joy and love.

“Tragically, in that same year, far across the ocean, in my home country, Rwanda, peace, love and joy, seemed to be alien concepts. As turmoil, fear and anguish set in leading to the Genocide Against the Tutsi, only a few months later.

In retrospect, the prayer recited then, 26 years ago, strongly resonated across the ocean and inspired the leadership of the nation to take by divine commission the high road, that eventually led us to the reconciliation and unity,” She said.

Mrs Kagame observed that the post-Genocide Rwanda needed to allow room for forgiveness if there is to be sustainable peace.

“We know all too well, that nothing grows, where there is divisionism and hatred. In our case, we understood that to bring sustainable peace, we needed to allow room, for repentance and forgiveness, and forever close the window to vengeance,” First Lady Jeannette Kagame noted.

Since the end of the 1994 Genocide, First Lady said, Rwandans opted for transformative lessons learnt, from its dark history, in all aspects of governance.

She said that Rwanda adopted, inclusive policies and structures, and created platforms - many of which were home-grown solutions, at all levels, to encourage community involvement, in nation building efforts.

“Thinking critically, around issues of security and dignity for all, helped us to deeply analyse, the options set before us, and carve out a clearly defined path. We promoted inclusive and intentional leadership, defined by three key pillars, which are Unity, Accountability and Thinking Big,” Mrs Kagame said.

Mrs Kagame noted that these are the pillars that have instilled in Rwandans the sense of responsibility towards, sustaining collective national gains as well as the discipline needed, to work towards our shared goal, of realising the Rwanda we want.

“Through repentance, forgiveness and a genuine value for unity, Rwandans walked a difficult path, leading us to where we stand today. The sacrifices of every Rwandan to take the needed steps and transcend the pain caused by our horrific past, have paid off,” She said, adding; “the returns manifest themselves, in a growing economy, and in a society, in which the rights to a dignified life, are continuously fought for, in our pursuit of unshakable peace, and unity.” 

This Thursday, First Lady Jeannette Kagame joined over 3000 political, religious and business leaders, from over 100 countries, at the 68th US annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington D.C. President Trump officiated at the National Prayer Breakfast.