KIGALI, Rwanda
Rwanda on Thursday commemorates the 28th anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in which over a million people were beaten, hacked, and shot dead in a hundred days of slaughter.
As has become the tradition
every April 7, the day the genocide began, President Paul Kagame is expected to
lead the nation in mourning the genocide victims and light a remembrance flame
in a national commemoration event at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where more
than 250,000 victims rest.
The national mourning will last
for a week until April 13 while commemoration activities will go on until July
3, ahead of the celebrations for Liberation Day on July 4. The national event
can also be followed on digital platforms.
Twenty-eight years on, the
anniversary comes as Rwanda recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic shocks that
have restricted public gatherings and events.
Events such as the “Walk to
Remember” and the mourning vigil were cancelled to limit the spread of the
Covid-19 virus. The events used to attract thousands of people from Rwanda and
across the world.
This year’s commemoration
message will focus on fighting against the genocide ideology and educating the
country on what led to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Several world leaders and officials have joined Rwanda in remembering, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
“The genocide against the
Tutsi in Rwanda was neither an accident nor unavoidable. As we remember the
bloodshed 28 years ago, we must recognise that we always have a choice. To
choose humanity over hatred, compassion over cruelty, courage over
complacency,” the UN Secretary-General said in a statement.
“Today of all days, we must
recognise the dangers of intolerance, irrationality, and bigotry in every
society. As we look back with remorse – let us look ahead with resolve. Let us
commit to being ever vigilant and to never forget.”
British High Commissioner to
Rwanda, Omar Daair, said, “My thoughts are with the Rwandan people on the 28th
commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi. We must honour the memory of
all those who were killed and stand with the survivors. And we must all work to
ensure that such atrocities never happen again, anywhere.”
The Ministry of National Unity
and Reconciliation has released guidelines for the public during commemoration
week.
From April 8 to 10, places of
worship will disseminate messages regarding the country’s history that led to
the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
On April 10, experts and historians will discuss the role of the media in the Genocide against the Tutsi and the rebuilding of the Rwandan community in the genocide aftermath.
April 11 will be dedicated to
remembering the Tutsi victims who were killed on the same day after being
abandoned by UN peacekeepers.
The Ministry of Health has
assigned more than 80,000 professionals to all districts to support and counsel
trauma victims.
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