Young Rwandans reflect on progress, pain, and hope 32 years after genocide

Kigali, Rwanda – For Claudette Kamikazi, a 29-year-old souvenir shop owner, Rwanda's burgeoning tourism sector presents a picture of a nation eager to engage with the world. Yet, beneath the surface of economic progress, the shadow of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, which claimed approximately 800,000 lives, continues to shape her reality.

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My father has been in prison since I was a toddler. My siblings and I were raised by my mother, who survived the genocide. The history of what happened in my country follows me every day.

Kamikazi, born after the genocide, describes how its history feels ever-present. Her father is imprisoned for his role in the genocide, while her mother, a survivor, raised her and her siblings. "Liberation means survival for my mother. It means my life. But it also reminds me why my father is where he is. It’s a difficult feeling to explain," she shared, highlighting the complex emotional landscape of a nation grappling with its past.

President Paul Kagame, in power since 2000, has framed Rwanda's recovery as a national project focused on unity and economic transformation. The country has seen average economic growth of about 7 percent annually over the last decade, fueled by tourism, technology, mining, and agribusiness. Young people, who constitute over 65 percent of the population, are seen as key to carrying this vision forward.

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Liberation means survival for my mother. It means my life. But it also reminds me why my father is where he is. It’s a difficult feeling to explain.

However, not all young Rwandans feel they are fully benefiting from this progress. Christopher Teganya, a 26-year-old with a master's degree but unemployed, expressed a mix of pride and concern. "Liberation was a great start for a new Rwanda, but the government needs to do more," he told Al Jazeera. "We honor Liberation Day as an important part of our history, but everything loses its meaning when you don’t see a future."

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Liberation was a great start for a new Rwanda, but the government needs to do more.

Rwanda's landscape and economy have transformed significantly, with investments in infrastructure and major projects creating jobs. Yet, the "unfinished promise" of progress remains a point of reflection for many, as the nation continues to navigate the enduring legacies of its darkest chapter while striving for a unified and prosperous future.

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We honour Liberation Day as an important part of our history, but everything loses its meaning when you don’t see a future.