United Nations betrayed Rwanda, says Kolini

KIGALI - The leader of the Province of the Anglican Church of Rwanda, His Grace Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini has slammed the United Nations for its failure to halt the 1994 Rwandan Genocide.

Saturday, September 29, 2007
Archbishop Kolini addressing a conference on International peace and justice. (Courtesy Photo)

KIGALI - The leader of the Province of the Anglican Church of Rwanda, His Grace Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini has slammed the United Nations for its failure to halt the 1994 Rwandan Genocide.

The Primate said this on September 27 during a two-day conference for International Anglican Peace and Justice Network, held at Kimironko Anglican church.

"The United Nations peace keepers and workers parked their dogs, cats, beds and mattresses during a hundred days of Genocide, and left Rwandans dying at the hands of the Genocidaires,” Kolini said, adding that the act has lowered the image of UN in the face of peace loving people in the region.

He urged Great lakes churches and governments to cultivate a path for unity and reconciliation for the sake of peace and stability throughout the region.

 "The root cause of violence and peace unrest in Africa is lack of appreciation of human value,” he told the gathering, adding that Rwanda does not yearn for other nations to experience what it went through because it was bitter and hot.

The coordinator for International Anglican Peace and Justice Network, DR Jenny Je Paa Dean called upon world churches to help usher peace in Great Lakes Region. She also urged World Council of Churches and politicians to fight for peace the world over for the good of man kind.

The conference which attracted several peace advocates from Great lakes Region was also attended by peace experts from Korea, USA, Japan, UK, Canada, New Zealand, India, Central Africa, Sudan, Uganda, Congo, Rwanda and South Africa.

Great lakes Region has been at the centre of conflicts and violence due to ethnic cleansing and political turmoil. The unrest has forced ten thousands of refugees to flee to neighboring countries for safety.
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