Social media has become an integral part of our lives, with platforms such as TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and others offering young people powerful avenues for expression. As Rwanda commemorates 31 years since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, social media has emerged as a vital tool through which genocide survivors, youth, officials, scholars, and others share messages about the genocide and reach broader audiences. However, these same platforms have also become worrying sources of misinformation, disinformation, denialism, hate speech and extremism. Many genocide perpetrators who remain at large, as well as descendants of those who planned and executed the genocide, now use social media to advance and promote genocide ideology. Popular platforms such as X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok have become toxic channels for genocide deniers and perpetrators, particularly during the commemoration period, to share false narratives. It's a disturbing trend, with actual perpetrators—some wanted and hiding in European capitals—and members of groups such as Jambo ASBL, including children of former president Juvénal Habyarimana, regularly promoting denialist theories and extremist views. Groups like the FDLR also use social media to spread their ideology. In recent years, however, many young Rwandans have taken it upon themselves to challenge genocide ideology on these platforms, confronting those responsible for spreading it—both within Rwanda and beyond, including in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). Initiatives like Digital Kwibuka, a youth-led effort promoting virtual remembrance of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, have helped amplify the voices of young people—especially during commemoration periods and when genocide ideology spikes online, as seen during the ongoing conflict in the DR Congo, marked by rising hate speech and denialist rhetoric. Winny Baho Ntaganira, a young activist leveraging social media to challenge genocide ideology and misinformation, says digital storytelling and social media are vital tools for preserving the memory of the genocide, especially for younger generations. Ntaganira notes that social media has empowered survivors to share their stories and enabled the distribution of historical records that challenge false narratives. Educational content, previously inaccessible to global audiences, is now widely shared. “These platforms make it easier to engage youth and future generations in the fight against misinformation, denial, and genocide ideology. By sharing authentic narratives and real facts online, we ensure the truth is preserved and accessible,” Ntaganira says. ALSO READ: Social media influencers pay tribute to Genocide victims, vow to fight denial She adds that gaps remain, particularly as denialist narratives multiply daily. She emphasises the need for more young people to view this effort as a collective responsibility—not just a task for a few. In recent years, Dr.Jean-Damascène Bizimana, Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, has encouraged young people to leverage their platforms—many with significant followings—to confront what he describes as an alarming-rise in genocide ideology online. To combat genocide denial, Ntaganira advocates for strengthening the education system to ensure that accurate history is taught in schools. She also emphasises the importance of promoting digital literacy so that young people are equipped to identify and counter misinformation. “Some youths don’t feel empowered or informed enough to counter false narratives about the genocide. We need to change that,” she says. For her, this is not just an initiative—it’s a calling and a duty. She considers genocide denial an attack on the country, one that everyone must work to resist. Ntaganira believes sharing survivors’ testimonies through blogs, videos, and social media helps preserve history for future generations. She encourages young people to fight denialism by consistently sharing credible information online. She also highlights the importance of participating in Kwibuka activities as a way for young people to learn about the genocide and understand how they can help preserve its memory. Storytelling, poetry, writing, plays, attending public discussions, visiting genocide survivors, and memorial sites are among the many ways youth can engage meaningfully. Tito Harerimana, another active social media user, says a new generation of Rwandans is not only preserving memory through social media but also actively confronting those who attempt to distort facts and history. “Although many of us were born after the genocide, we are deeply involved in ensuring the world never forgets. Through platforms like Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, we’re sharing survivor stories, countering denialism, and educating our peers around the world,” says Harerimana. ALSO READ: Youth urged to use social media to fight genocide ideology Harerimana, who is among the most-followed Rwandans on X, says the digital movement has helped educate people beyond Rwanda’s borders. Through creative formats like short videos and testimonials, the youth are helping history reach broader audiences. He points out that platforms allow them to document and share real-time accounts from events they attend while actively countering misinformation and genocide denial, which are particularly prevalent on X. From joining Twitter Spaces where genocide denial is discussed, to responding to misleading posts and sharing counter-narratives, Harerimana says Rwandan youth are at the forefront of fact-checking and challenging revisionism. “Many of us engage directly with deniers, share historical evidence, and amplify survivor testimonies to counter false claims,” he says. “Especially around this time of commemoration, we are more active and intentional in ensuring the truth is heard.” Young content creators, influencers, and storytellers are also adding their voices—appearing in YouTube interviews and using TikTok to share educational content about the genocide. However, like Ntaganira, Harerimana warns that the number of those spreading falsehoods continues to grow. “While social media gives us a powerful platform to preserve memory and combat genocide ideology, serious challenges remain. We still see hate speech, misinformation, and even censorship that makes it harder to counter denialism effectively,” he says. Many who speak out face online abuse, harassment, and smear campaigns by organiSed groups promoting denialist narratives. Some are labelled spies or government agents simply for defending the truth—but Harerimana says this has not discouraged him or others. He emphasises the need for even greater engagement: “With continued investment in digital literacy and responsible storytelling, Rwandan youth will continue to play a central role in ensuring the lessons of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi are never forgotten.” Still, some challenges persist—including the indifference of young people with large followings who choose not to speak out about the genocide, either because they believe it doesn’t concern them or they wish to avoid political issues. This concern was recently echoed by Dr. Thierry B. Murangira, spokesperson for the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), who urged young people and celebrities to use their influence and platforms to counter genocide ideology and defend the truth when needed. ALSO READ: Rubavu: Youth pledge to fight Genocide ideology on social media Murangira lamented that many influential individuals remain silent during critical times, a stance he described as unfortunate. Despite such challenges, there’s no doubt that social media has become a powerful tool in the fight against genocide ideology—spreading truth, promoting healing, and preserving memory across communities, both within Rwanda and in the diaspora. Laissa Umurage, a young Rwandan living in Canada, says following fellow young Rwandans on social media has helped her learn more about the genocide and stay connected to her roots. “As someone living in a country where some people spread genocide ideology and false narratives, I’ve been able to learn the truth through social media. It’s helped me distinguish between right and wrong,” she says. Social media continues to play a key role in amplifying messages that confront denialism and defend historical facts—tools that genocide deniers have long sought to undermine. Today, Rwandan youth are using their digital voices to challenge misinformation and revisionism, ensuring that truth is preserved and shared widely. Campaigns and hashtags like #Kwibuka31 are not only trending—they are breaking geographical barriers and educating the world.
