President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a Congratulatory Message to her brother, the President of the Republic of Rwanda, His Excellency Mr. Paul Kagame, on that country’s 55^th Independence Anniversary.

Independence Day in Rwanda is annually observed on July 1, when Rwanda became an independent state from Belgium 1962. Colonization of Rwanda began in 1884, when Germany assigned the territory of the African state as a part of German East Africa. Germany lost the territory of Rwanda during World War I, when it was taken by Belgian forces. After World War II Rwanda became the UN Trust Territory of Belgium with a mandate to oversee independence. The Tutsi favoured early independence and the Hutu began emancipation movement. The tensions between them rose and led to the Rwandan Revolution in 1959. Pro-Hutu Belgians held a referendum in 1961, ratifying establishment of monarchy. Rwanda finally gained its independence from Belgium on July 1, 1962.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, the Liberian leader said that it gives her immense pleasure to extend her warmest congratulations and best wishes to President Kagame, the Government and people of Rwanda.

“As the People of Rwanda commemorate this auspicious occasion, I look forward to further strengthening of the excellent bilateral ties between our two countries for the mutual benefit of our peoples,” President Sirleaf stressed.

She prayed that the Almighty God will inspire President Kagame with his manifold blessings as he leads your country men and women to sustained peace and prosperity.