Social media has become a big part of our daily lives, especially for Rwandans living in the diaspora. But we must be careful with how we use it. Some people, hiding behind their screens, spread fake news about Rwanda and attack its leaders. These people, often living abroad for decades, are not interested in the truth. They create a negative image of our country, which can harm Rwanda’s reputation.
As Rwandans abroad, we are all ambassadors of our country. Everything we post online can either build or damage Rwanda’s image. Instead of sharing or following platforms that spread lies, we should focus on telling the truth about our country. Ignoring these negative voices and refusing to share their fake news is a powerful way to stop them from growing.
Recently, we’ve seen Rwandan influencers arguing online, making serious allegations, and even threatening one another. This behavior does not help our country. It only creates division among Rwandans, which is exactly what Rwanda’s enemies want. We cannot fall into these traps. The same way radios and media were used to spread messages of hate during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, social media can be misused in the same way today. We must be responsible and remember the lessons of our history.
Let’s use social media to spread messages of truth, peace, and unity. We should be proud to represent Rwanda wherever we are, and we must ensure that our voices online reflect that pride. Together, we can counter the lies and promote a positive image of Rwanda.