Names of Genocide victims at Ryagacece to be immortalized

RUSIZI- Local authorities in Gashonga, Rusizi District plan to place names of genocide victims buried at the Ryagacece Memorial site, to honour the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. “Like the Gisozi memorial, we want Ryagacece to be a centre of knowledge about the Genocide. We want visitors and tourists to leave when they know what exactly happened in the three sectors, whose remains rest at this site,” said Nadine Michele Ingabire,The Executive Secretary, Gashonga Sector. She disclosed that the memorial would feature photos, list of names of victims buried at Ryagacece and the history of how the Genocide started in Ryagacece, bearing dates when severe killings took place. “Ryagacece has a story that has not been told. We lost people. Whenever I look around, I can’t see any neighbour that I knew before the Genocide. Only a historical memorial site can tell the story to the world,” said Anita Mihigo, a survivor. Her father, Mihigo, a teacher then, was the very first to be murdered in 1994, a storyAnita says is worth telling. Of the estimated 2,000 remains buried at the memorial, 435 names are so far listed, accompanied by four photos. “Getting photos is difficult, but we are working hard with families to find some,” Mihigo.father and brother are buried at Ryagacece. Killings in Ryagacece were carried out by militia drawn from Kibuye, Cyangugu and Burundi. Ends