Thousands of Youths from different African countries have committed to fight for prosperity and make the world free from genocide ideology.

The commitment was made yesterday as an estimated 2,500 delegation from 49 African countries visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial to learn from Rwanda’s past history and pay respect to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

The delegates have been in the country since Tuesday to take part in the 7th African Students and Youth Summit. They also visited the Campaign against Genocide Museum at the Parliament.

From the Parliament, the youths were told about the story of the Rwanda Patriotic Army's campaign to end the Genocide against the Tutsi. From the memorial, the youth watched documentaries about the Genocide and laid wreaths on the graves of the victims.

Emmanuel Dankwa, from Ghana, said that African youths should learn from what happened in Rwanda as result of bad leadership and devise remedies.

"It is beyond human thinking. So far, Rwanda has showed the world that our problems as Africans can be successfully solved if all Africans are determined to build their continent together,”he noted

Dankwa said that African youth have to take time to learn from the mistakes of political leaders to avoid committing similar mistakes when they get in leadership positions.

"Museums have showed us that our solutions to our problems will not come from outside the continent. United we can stand and fight for prosperity and peace in Africa.”

Fatoumatta Singhateh, from the Republic of Gambia, reflected on the Rwanda Patriotic Army’s campaign to stop the genocide, saying that all African youth should be inspired by their bravery.

"We have learnt a lot today. We have to thank the people who stood against the genocide. Togetherness and oneness as Africa, with the same vision, that is the only thing that can make Africa forward. We must say no violation of human rights, genocide ideology. Pan-Africanism to all Africans.”  

During the summit, the youths discussed issues affecting Africa and how they can participate in orienting the continent toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and African Union Agenda 2063.

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