Doha, November 20 (QNA) - In the heart of the African continent, the Republic of Rwanda stands as a shining star, a living testament to the power of human will to transform tragedy into achievement. Three decades ago, the country witnessed a genocide that claimed the lives of nearly one million people in just 100 days in 1994.

However, the Rwandan leadership that assumed power afterward succeeded in turning adversity into opportunity through parallel paths, including prioritizing peacebuilding and reconciliation, rigorously combating corruption, investing in human capital, particularly in the health and education sectors, and diversifying the economy with a focus on technology and services.

Rwanda is located in the middle of the African continent, south of the equator, within the Great Lakes region. It is a landlocked country with no coastline, and it connects to the outside world through its neighbors, especially via the ports of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and Mombasa in Kenya. Its area exceeds 26 thousand square kilometers, and its population is estimated at 14 and a half million people, 83 percent of whom live in rural areas.

After the end of the war in Rwanda, the new government inherited a devastated country where the majority of the population lived below the poverty line, with destroyed infrastructure and a fractured social fabric. Rwandan President Paul Kagame embarked on the daunting task of nation-building from scratch.

From the moment he took office, President Kagame set two clear goals: to unite the people and to lift the country out of poverty. He launched a multi-pronged plan focused on achieving national reconciliation and drafting a new constitution that prohibited the use of the terms Hutu and Tutsi, the two sides of the war and genocide, as well as criminalizing any form of ethnic rhetoric.

The Rwandan government's plans to achieve reconciliation among members of society were successful, leading to the return of refugees to their homes and the establishment of local courts to restore rights and address grievances. With progress on social issues, the government focused its efforts on strengthening stability and building trust among citizens.

As the internal situation improved, the government directed its energies toward development and economic growth. After nearly two years of consultations, the Rwandan government launched Vision 2020 in 2000, following President Paul Kagame's assumption of office. This plan outlined its development goals for 2020. Rwanda successfully achieved many of these goals, which encouraged it to announce Vision 2050 at the conclusion of the National Dialogue Conference in 2015. This vision aims to transform Rwanda into an upper-middle-income country by 2035 and a high-income country by 2050.

In presenting the strategy, President Kagame declared that Vision 2020 was about what Rwandans needed to do to survive and regain their dignity, but Vision 2050 should be about the future they choose because they can achieve it and deserve it.

Thus, three decades after one of the most horrific genocides in modern history, Rwanda has succeeded in transforming its wounds into lessons and its dreams into reality, becoming a symbol of human resilience and a remarkable resurgence that has surpassed many developing countries in terms of development and stability indicators.

Rwanda is now described as the "Singapore of Africa", ​​thanks to its rapid economic growth, political stability, and pioneering social initiatives, which have rightfully earned it the title of "Miracle of Development and Peace". This miracle was not a coincidence in the course of history, but rather the result of a resolute leadership vision, radical reforms, and a people who refused to repeat the past or live under its sorrows and pains. 

The first and most important step in Rwanda's journey to recovery was to address the wounds of the past and build a solid foundation for national unity. Incitement to racial hatred was criminalized, and national unity became a fundamental pillar in educational curricula and political discourse. The Rwandan leadership also gave paramount importance to consolidating political and security stability, considering it an indispensable condition for attracting investments and achieving development.

Strictly combating corruption is one of the main pillars of Rwanda's success, with the leadership considering it the number one enemy of development. The government has also made great efforts to improve the business environment, which has led to Rwanda making remarkable progress in global ease of doing business indicators.

In its journey from ashes to prosperity, Rwanda has transformed from a devastated agricultural economy into a development model, with average annual growth of around eight percent since 2000, driven by investment in technology and tourism. Average per capita income in 2015 was 30 times higher than it was 20 years earlier, and the poverty rate fell from 78 percent in 1994 to 38 percent in 2023, thanks to ambitious government programs and plans.

Progress has been remarkable in the economic field, with the country now ranking among the world's 10 fastest-growing economies. This growth has helped lift over a million people out of poverty, driven by a restructured and modernized agricultural sector that has increased production and improved the lives of rural residents.

In parallel, infrastructure has also seen a significant leap forward. High-speed internet now covers 95 percent of Rwanda, and solar and hydroelectric projects provide electricity to 75 percent of the population.

In the health and education sectors, Rwanda has succeeded in reducing child mortality and improving maternal health, along with expanding health coverage. Education has also expanded significantly, with high enrollment rates in primary and secondary schools, as part of a national strategy to transition to a knowledge-based economy.

Rwanda is a global leader in women's empowerment, having recorded the highest percentage of female representation in parliament worldwide. Rwanda has also made significant strides in combating corruption, ranking first in Africa and 44th globally in anti-corruption efforts. The country has invested heavily in developing digital infrastructure and launched the world's first national drone delivery program.

Rwanda is also considered a living example to be followed in comprehensive development and positive transformation. It proves that political will, national reconciliation, and openness to the world are capable of moving a country from the depths of tragedy to the heights of success. In record time, it was able to rise from the rubble and turn its wounds into inspiring lessons for the whole world.

Today, Rwanda has become one of the cleanest, most beautiful, most developed and organized countries in Africa, and Kigali has become an emerging center for technology and innovation in East Africa. The signs of the economic boom that this country, whose name means "Land of a Thousand Hills", is witnessing are not hidden from the eye of the visitor, and it has become a magnet for tourists from all over the world due to its rare and picturesque natural and wildlife. (QNA)