On April 10, 2024, the Swedish Parliament resonated with solemn remembrance as 250 people gathered to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. This significant event, organised in collaboration with all Rwandans, highlighted the importance of acknowledging and remembering the tragic events of 1994. The day’s events commenced with a ‘Walk to Remember’ in Stockholm, orchestrated by the IBUKA Association in Sweden, established in 2022. The walk, spearheaded by Rwandans and friends of Rwanda, saw participation from the Equality Ombudsman of Sweden, Lars Arrhenius. He shared his personal experiences of witnessing discrimination against Tutsi in Karongi during his formative years. The commemoration at the Swedish Parliament was graced by the presence of the Third Deputy Speaker, Kerstin Lundgren, and a representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dag Juhlin-Dannfelt. They expressed heartfelt condolences to the Rwandan community and reaffirmed Sweden’s unwavering commitment to its relationship with Rwanda, pledging to strengthen ties further. Among the attendees were members of the diplomatic corps in Sweden, parliamentarians, and friends of Rwanda, all united in their resolve to remember and honor the victims of the genocide. Josine Kanamugire, President of the IBUKA Association in Sweden, delivered a poignant reminder to the audience about the global indifference that characterised the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. She emphasised the imperative nature of recognising and confronting the denial of these tragic events. Survivor Francoise Moti bravely recounted her harrowing experiences during the Genocide. Her testimony served as a stark reminder of the atrocities faced by the Tutsi community and underscored the ongoing violence against Tutsi in the DRC, urging attendees to take proactive measures against these ongoing atrocities. Academics from the University of Rwanda, Alice Karekezi Urusaro and Prof. Muleefu Alphonse, alongside long-term Swedish resident Eugene Bushayija, shed light on the planning of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. They delved into the global ignorance surrounding the Genocide, the support for Habyarimana’s regime, and the roles of various entities, including the FDLR, the DRC government, and UN peacekeeping forces. They also highlighted the ongoing violence against Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese communities, emphasising the need for international awareness and action. A particularly emotional moment came from the Dutch Ambassador to Sweden, Bengt van Loosdrecht, who publicly shared his experiences from visiting the Musunga, Katale, and Kibumba camps in former Zaire post-Genocide. He vividly described the control exerted by the Interahamwe and their brutal actions, highlighting the world’s knowledge of the Genocide plan. He mentioned the refugee camps were guarded by genocidaires, controlling all the interventions and they were killing refugees every night. The main highlight is the well-planned denial already in 1994 by Interahamweand former officials from the genocidaire government, pretending they were victims and saying there was no Genocide. He firmly affirmed that the Genocide against the Tutsi had been planned. Ambassador Dr Diane Gashumba conveyed her heartfelt condolences and lauded the strong bond between Rwanda and Sweden. She expressed gratitude towards international representatives for their active participation and acknowledged the unwavering support from members of the Swedish Parliament, notably Hon Momodou Jallow Malcolm. Gashumba highlighted the courageous voices of Romeo Dallaire, Former Swedish PM Ingvar CARLSSON, former UN Ambassador from Nigeria Ibrahim Gambari, Ambassador from the Czech Republic Karel Kovanda, and Ambassador from New Zealand, and RPF’s North America Representative Claude Dusaidi who all bravely named the Genocide for what it was, but unfortunately, their warnings went unheard. In her closing remarks, Gashumba commended the courage of the speakers who had bravely spoken the truth about the events of 1994. She criticised countries and media outlets that distort history and deny the genocide, emphasising the critical need for global awareness and accountability. She also stressed the contradiction; the media do not care about the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi...not even for the sake of sharing the lessons with the rest of the world, and instead ask for interviews about topics such as elections, and stated that every country has its own rules for elections and ambassadors are not there to explain themselves. Gashumba concluded by appreciating Sweden’s respectful dialogue with Rwanda, facilitating the exchange of accurate and meaningful information.
