The Rwandan community in Liberia on Wednesday, June 5, commemorated the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda and honoured the more than one million victims. Attended by Rwandans in the West African country, government officials, members of the diplomatic corps and Liberians, the event marking the 30th commemoration of the Genocide was held in the capital Monrovia. ALSO READ: Rwandan envoy to Malawi stresses need to combat Genocide denial The event started with a Walk to Remember in which the mourners, who included Liberia’s Second Lady Stephanie Dahn-Koung and Deputy Foreign Minister Ibrahim Nyei, UN Resident Coordinator Christine Umutoni, walked from the 520 Junction in Monrovia to the Ministerial Complex where the ceremony was held. In her remarks, delivered virtually, Permanent Secretary in Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Clementine Mukeke emphasized the need for historical clarity on the truth of what happened in Rwanda. Mukeka noted that the Genocide against the Tutsi was planned deliberately by the genocidal government with intent to wipe out the Tutsi, targeting men, women and children across the country. ALSO READ: All schools must teach history of Genocide against Tutsi - Rwandan envoy In his testimony, Charles Habonimana, a Genocide survivor and currently the Managing Director of Rwanda Airports Company, described the ordeal the Tutsi had to endured in 1994. Habonimana expressed his appreciation of Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA), the military wing of the RPF-Inkotanyi, which stopped the Genocide and liberated Rwanda. ALSO READ: Ghanaian university to set up monument in remembrance of Genocide against the Tutsi ALSO READ: Study shows strong post-genocide resilience among Rwandans Deputy Foreign Minister Ibrahim Nyei said Liberia and the world should draw lessons from Rwanda’s experience, especially unity and reconciliation. Nyei emphasized that there was so much to learn from the country that managed to rebuild itself from the horrors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and to transform in all spheres of national life. The commemorative event was organised by Rwanda’s embassy in Ghana, which is also accredited to Liberia.
