Patriotism is a subconscious feeling that is anchored  deep in every one of us , Rwandan or Foreigner .We all have a sense of belonging to a nation , to a given culture or tradition .

I find this to be particularly true  in the case of Rwandans . It is the one thing we are all taught from a tender age , irrespective of  the ethnic divide we emanate from.

Rwandaness is that  affiliation we are modest about , it  dictates our social action and our sense of  duty , it is the alliance that emphasizes out  brother and sisterhood .

Because loving one’s country is leaving it better than you found it , it is crucial that we re-think our allegiance to it .

It is  with this allegiance  to our country in mind  that I exhort you, my brother and sisters in exile  and at home to be one under the flag that represents our nation  and motherland. This is something I have previously mentioned and discussed with  many of our compatriots .

I exhort all Rwandans not to let the current regimes misdeeds  fool us into refusing to embrace the symbols that represent our Nation today ; because by doing so  , one is self condemned into isolation and statelessness .

We must set aside all sentimentalism  and do right by ourselves and our country if we are to properly challenge its current leadership in a manner that ensures consideration .

Loyalty to our country does not mean loyalty to its leader or to the murderous and thieving system ruling it today.

If we are to  hope that one day  this system will be  stopped and brought to book, we must first recognize that it is as part of Rwanda as we are .

I believe  that Rwandans must  always stand and hold the flag and all other emblems that represent our nation proudly whether or not we  agree with the government in place .

Although it would be preferable for these symbols that represent our country  to remain consistent , suffice is to say today that opposing Mr Paul Kagame should not  mislead us into rejecting and ostracizing the important banners of our country!

The Rwandan flag is not Mr  Kagame. Whether it will continue to represent our country after he is gone or not , it will always have a place in its history .

Let us uninhibit ourselves with regards to this matter all the while remaining  vigilant and considerate to one another , let us love our country anew and let us find  our place in our Great Nation : RWANDA

Noble Marara