More than 200 Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) staff members on Thursday, April 10, commemorated the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi at Kigali Genocide Memorial. They reflected on Rwanda’s painful past and its remarkable journey of healing and unity. The commemoration featured moving discussions and testimonies, led by retired Anglican church pastor Antoine Rutayisire, who emphasized the significance of Rwanda’s traditional values. ALSO READ: FDA vows to strengthen food safety checks Rutayisire, a genocide survivor, urged the audience, and Rwandans at large, to reflect on the pre-colonial unity that once defined the nation. He reminded the FDA staff members that it was colonial manipulation, which separated Rwandans into groups based on ethnicity, and sowed the seeds of division that culminated in the Genocide. The FDA Director General, Emile Bienvenu, comforted the survivors and reminded the audience of their collective responsibility in combating the ideology of genocide. As we commemorate, we not only remember the tragedy that unfolded in 1994, but also celebrate the transformative leadership that has steered Rwanda towards healing and progress, he said. He stressed the need to protect Rwanda’s history from those who seek to deny or distort the events of the Genocide for their own political gain, urging for a “shared responsibility as Rwandans” to ensure that the history never repeats itself. ALSO READ: How and when does Rwanda FDA recall pharmaceutical products? The event included commemoration music performance by singer Susanne Nyiranyamibwa’s commemoration songs, and a testimony shared by FDA employee Fidele Bimenyimana, who was just nine years old when the genocide started. He recalled the harrowing journey he endured, losing five siblings, and how the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) saved his life in Kamonyi District, underscoring the importance of remembering and learning from such personal tragedies. ALSO READ: How districts are marking 100 days of Genocide commemoration Rutayisire reminded the audience of the significance of commemoration and the importance of upholding national unity. He urged them to reflect on Rwanda’s pre-colonial history, a time when Rwandans worked together in solidarity across all areas of life. “When we talk about commemoration, it holds deep meaning, especially for those of us who lived through that time, Rutayisire said. It’s about restoring the dignity of people who were dehumanized, whose value was stripped away. Women were exposed in the most humiliating ways, and so much was lost. Yet, it is also a moment to celebrate what we have achieved as a nation, despite the years of poor governance and hardship. We now live in a united country; a country that we know all too well was once fractured.” ALSO READ: Genocide timeline, April 10, 1994: Church’s complicity takes shape He emphasized that commemoration is not only about remembering the past but also learning from it. He urged Rwandans to draw lessons from history, keeping the best of their traditions while avoiding the mistakes that led to the dark history. “The 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi was the tragic culmination of decades of divisionism, a process that began long before the 1959s. Colonizers sowed the seeds of division to weaken the unity that Rwandans had built, because they knew that a united people would never fall for their schemes.” Rutayisire spoke about Rwanda’s pre-colonial leadership system, where kings ruled for the good of all citizens, not for one ethnic group. He explained that kings adopted new names upon taking the throne to signify their leadership of all Rwandans, emphasizing that a person’s worth was based on their achievements, not their ethnicity. When Rwandans went into battle, they fought as Rwandans, not as Hutu or Tutsi. Leadership was determined by capability, not ethnicity, Rutayisire said. “But the Belgians studied this system carefully and dismantled it, dividing us to consolidate their power.” ALSO READ: April 9, 1994: As Tutsi killings rage, France evacuates citizens, Akazu members After the Genocide, Rutayisire felt ready to leave Rwanda, exhausted from the cycle of division. He had been mentally broken, and his only hope was to relocate. However, he found renewed faith in the new government’s actions. What convinced me was the new government’s approach. I watched as leaders were appointed based on merit, not ethnicity. The ethnic labels were removed from national identity cards, and I was finally able to live as a Rwandan, not as a Tutsi or Hutu, Rutayisire said. He urged Rwandans to distance themselves from divisive ideologies. He pointed out that even though the Rwandan government works tirelessly to eliminate divisionism, the ideology still resurfaces, especially through social media and in neighbouring countries. We must remain vigilant against the spread of Genocide ideology, no matter how hard the government works to eradicate it, divisionism and hatred always find ways to re-enter the country. We must all pay attention and be part of the solution, he cautioned. ALSO READ: Amb Karega: Belgium’s colonial divide is root cause of genocide ideology in region Rose Uwamariya, a youthful FDA intern, shared her thoughts on the significance of commemoration for the younger generation. As youth, we must understand that commemoration is not just about posting on social media or following trends. We must reflect on the history, value the lives lost, and support those who survived, she said. Uwamariya emphasized the importance of embracing the true meaning of the commemoration, living by Rwanda’s core values of unity, and contributing to the country’s continued progress.
