DILI, 25 january 2023 (TATOLI) – The Secretary General of the g7+, Helder da Costa said that as a post-conflict nation, Timor-Leste needs to follow in Rwanda’s footsteps.
He said Rwanda has become a good reference for many post-conflict countries to follow: “First and foremost is their reconciliation and restoration of peace, and Rwandans put national unity above all. In Rwanda, whoever wins the elections must involve the small and minority party in governance. It is an inclusive government.”
In october 2022, representatives from G7+ members, including members of the Timor-Leste National Defence Force (F-FDTL), Timor-Leste National Police (PNTL), religious leaders, Centro National Chega!, civil society, and youth visited Rwanda.
“During the one-week visit, we learned a lot from Rwanda. This country doesn’t have a lot of natural resources, as we do in Timor-Leste, such as oil and gas, but they manage to develop their country with agriculture, tourism, and taxation. Only through these three areas, we can now see Rwanda as a modern country with much progress”, said Helder.
He said that one of the good examples set by Rwanda is that the country is safe and clean, with many tourists visiting the country every year: “I hope that those who have visited Rwanda can apply what they have learned from Rwanda in Timor-Leste.”
“You will not find rubbish in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. Therefore, we can also learn waste management from Rwanda,” Costa said.
He added that Rwanda is one of the countries that focuses its energy and time on development: “The government of Rwanda focuses on the welfare of the people. It focuses on development without harming the socio-political and economic development of the people. So, they focus on development in agriculture and tourism. Therefore, we need to learn from Rwanda”.
“People in every village in Rwanda are busy working and developing their country every day. We hardly see anyone sitting on the side of the road and doing nothing. It shows that people are working from morning to afternoon for their well-being, and their community. Again, this is something we need to learn from this post-conflict country,” he said.
Costa praised the leadership of Rwandan President Paul Kagame for making a significant transformation in his country after one of the most notorious modern genocides.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
