Rwanda Marks Kwibuka30: Honoring Victims of the Genocide Against the Tutsi

Elias Hakizimana Apr 7, 2024 0 Comments

By The Inspirer.

On Sunday, April 7, Rwandans and friends of Rwanda began commemorating the 30th anniversary of the 1994 Genocide perpetrated against the Tutsi.

This year’s theme, Remember-Unite-Renew, highlights Rwanda’s transformative journey over the past thirty years, following the carefully planned massacre that claimed over a million lives during the 100-day period from April through July 1994.

The commemoration begins with the lighting of the ‘Flame of Remembrance’ at the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, Gisozi, by President Paul Kagame. This flame will burn for the next 100 days, symbolizing the country’s ongoing tribute to the victims of the tragic massacres.

President Kagame has consistently led the nation in initiating these commemorative activities, which include laying wreaths in honor of not only the 250,000 victims interred at the memorial but also all victims of the Genocide across different regions of the country.

The 30th commemoration has drawn the presence of several dignitaries who arrived on Friday, standing in solidarity with Rwandans on this solemn occasion.

Among the dignitaries are Czech Republic President Petr Pavel, President Andry Rajoelina of Madagascar, Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani.

On Saturday afternoon, South Sudan President Salva Kiir, who also serves as the chairperson of the East African Community, arrived in Kigali to participate in the commemoration.

Former US President Bill Clinton, President Denis Sassou N’guesso of the Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and President Faustin-Archange Touadéra of the Central African Republic arrived in Kigali on Saturday evening to join the event.

Different activities will resume after a four-year hiatus due to Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. These activities include the Walk to Remember, which has been approved despite a limited participation of 3,000 individuals.

As commemoration activities commence, leaders from international organizations and dignitaries continue to inspire Rwandans with messages of hope.

Retired Lieutenant General Romeo Dallaire, former head of the UN mission during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, reflected on the past with a call for strength and optimism. He said, “My brothers and sisters of Rwanda, as we reflect on the events of thirty years ago, the indescribable loss and the biblical inhumanity, I hope you will join me in also looking ahead with strength, hope, joy, and peace. For these are the qualities that Rwanda represents for me.”

Dallaire, founder of the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security, praised Rwanda’s transformative journey, noting, “The past thirty years in Rwanda have stood as the most profound example of noble and brave peacemaking I have ever witnessed; perhaps that has ever existed. The level of forgiveness and grace demonstrated by the Rwandan people has been glorious, and will stand for all time as an example to the rest of the world.”

The United Nations, through its official channel X (formerly Twitter), also conveyed a message of hope regarding the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, acknowledging it as “one of the darkest chapters in human history.”

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed, “On this day, we honor those who were murdered and reflect on the suffering of those who survived. We will never forget the victims of this genocide. Nor will we ever forget the bravery and resilience of those who survived, whose courage and willingness to forgive remain a burst of light and hope amidst this dark chapter in human history.”

Guterres emphasized the significance of remembering the genocide’s root cause: hate.

“To those who seek to divide us, we must send a clear, unequivocal, and urgent message: never again,” stated the UN Chief.

The UN Chief warned that today, globally, the darkest impulses of humanity are resurfacing through the voices of extremism, division, and hate.

“On this solemn day of remembrance, let’s pledge to stand together against all forms of hatred and discrimination. Let’s ensure that the atrocities that commenced on April 7, 1994, are never forgotten — and never repeated. Anywhere.”