Rwandan contingents in UN peacekeeping missions in South Sudan and Central African Republic, along with other members of the Rwandan community and friends of Rwanda, on April 7, commemorated the 31st anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The commemoration was marked by a walk to remember, a moment of silence, and the lighting of flame in remembrance of over one million lives lost during the genocide. ALSO READ: Kagame urges Rwandans to fight for their dignified lives South Sudan In South Sudan, the commemoration was held at the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) RWANBATT-3 Base Camp Durupi in Central Equatorial State in the outskirts of Juba City. Participants included South Sudan government officials, the UNMISS military component, UN agencies’ officials, Rwandans and peacekeepers. ALSO READ: PHOTOS: Rwandan peacekeepers in South Sudan get UN service medals for their service The Chairperson of the Rwandan Community in South Sudan and guest of honour, William Ngabonziza, said that Rwanda has undergone a remarkable transformation since 1994, transitioning from the horrors of the genocide to become a beacon of hope and resilience. He added that the country achieved significant strides in reconciliation, reconstruction, and socio-economic development through visionary leadership and collective efforts. Rwanda's journey of unity and peace serves as a testament to the resilience of its people and the power of forgiveness and reconciliation, he stressed. He regretted that the international community failed to intervene while Rwandans were in dire need of protection, and called on the world to never let such atrocities happen again. A separate commemoration was also organised by the Rwandan community and peacekeepers in Malakal, Torit, Yambio, Kuajok, Bentiu, Bor, and Rumbek, in South Sudan. Central African Republic The Rwandan peacekeepers (Rwanda Battle Group VII and Level 2 Hospital in Bria, and RWANBATT-2 in Bossembele) serving under the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), along with UN staff, local authorities, and the local community, marked the 31st commemoration of the 1994 Genocide at the events held in Bria and Bossembele base camps. Sous- Préfe Beatrice Nakomana and the mayor of Bossembele as well as Local security commanders, were present. ALSO READ: CAR: Rwandan peacekeepers provide free medical services to 400 residents Col Jean de la Croix Baziruwiha, the Deputy Commander of Sector East, highlighted the hard-earned lessons from Rwanda’s path of recovery, reconciliation, and resilience. The Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994 was not an accident of history but a prepared campaign made possible by divisive ideology and poor leadership, he said. Lt. Col. Ndanyuzwe Muzindutsi, the Contingent Commander of RWANBATT-2 in Bossembele, highlighted the systematic planning and execution of the Genocide against Tutsi by the bad leadership, reminding the contingent of their duty to uphold peace in their area of responsibilities. The commemoration not only honours the lives lost in 1994, but also stresses Rwanda’s unwavering commitment to genocide prevention and promotion of unity and peace both at home and across the globe through its peacekeeping missions.
