As the rest of the world joined Rwanda in marking the commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, different international stars took time off to join Rwanda in this period to commemorate over one million lives lost in 100 days.
International TV stars Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi shared a video and posts reflecting on what happened in Rwanda a quarter-century ago, and expressed their solidarity.
Musicians Jose Chameleone.Net
"Our hearts are with you #Rwanda, on this Day of Remembrance. Your strength and unity are truly admirable,” DeGeneres tweeted, having earlier shared a video of her and Portia expressing their solidarity with Rwandans during this commemoration period.
The duo, currently building a campus in Musanze District, Northern Province in support of Mountain Gorilla conservation efforts, have in recent months been to Rwanda and captivated by their experiences with nature and the people.
Ali Kiba.Net
They joined other international stars including Game of Thrones actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, who was in Rwanda last month ahead of the 25th commemoration.
The actor revealed that he was amazed by what he saw on his first visit to Rwanda, pointing out that he was astounded by the progress the country has made over the last 25 years.
Arsenal FC striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Net.
"All I knew of Rwanda was that it was the scene of one of the worst tragedies in modern history: The genocide against the Tutsi people. Almost a million people killed,” said Coster-Waldau.
"I expected to find a country in despair. I couldn’t have been more wrong. From the moment I arrived in Kigali to the moment I left, I was constantly impressed by what I experienced,” said Coster-Waldau, adding that he was impressed "by how rapidly change can happen if there is connection between the people and the political will of the government…and how the power of forgiveness is much stronger than the power of hate.”
TV stars Portia de Rossi and Ellen DeGeneres. Net.
Coster-Waldau traveled to Rwanda with colleagues from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to shine a spotlight on the progress the country has made over the past two-and-a-half decades. UNDP partners with the Rwandan government and its people through initiatives focused on issues such as gender equality, poverty and climate change.
Elsewhere, artistes from the East African community also came out to pay tribute to all those that lost their lives, their families and the survivors.
In messages posted on their social media platforms, the musicians posted the candle and attached the hash tag #Kwibuka25 to express their solidarity with Rwanda.
Arsenal and Gabon star forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang posted: "Kwibuka is a time to remember, to be together, to stand as one team. Rwanda, we are with you today. Stand strong.”
Dancehall star Jose Chameloene, also known as
Joseph Mayanja, also posted on his instagram the logo used in this year’s commemoration and commented with the message saying "We still pray for the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. May God grant you eternal peace. #Kwibuka25. My Rwandan friends all over the world we stand united,” he said
In the same spirit, Tanzanian singer and song writer Ali Kiba, real name Ali Saleh Kiba, also expressed solidarity with all the Rwandans, who lost their loved ones during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi that lasted 100 days, and claimed over a million Rwandans.
Ali Kiba posted a picture of candles with the words "We remember you, we loved you and we will never forget you. Never Again. Say No To Genocide.”
The Tanzanian star remains closely attached to Rwanda with his music largely popular among young people.
editor@newtimesrwanda.com