African UN peacekeepers who defied orders to withdraw during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi have returned to Rwanda for a commemorative and educational tour from August 14 to 20. ALSO READ: April 11, 1994: When Belgian forces withdrew from ETO Kicukiro and killers pounced The tour, organised by the Isōko Centre for Humanity and Aegis Trust through the Kigali Genocide Memorial, will bring together former UN troops from Ghana and Senegal who, despite losing logistical and operational support, risked their lives to protect civilians during the Genocide against the Tutsi. According to the organisers, the peacekeepers’ testimonies will highlight a rarely told chapter of the Genocide against the Tutsi, complementing accounts from survivors and the RPA soldiers who stopped the killings. ALSO READ: Rwandan troops embody values of peacekeeping in life-threatening situations, says UN official “Bringing together these veteran African peacekeepers is not only a gesture of gratitude, it is a profound moment of truth-telling and historical preservation,” said Alice Wairimu Nderitu, Global President of the Isōko Centre for Humanity. “Their courage under impossible circumstances speaks to Africa’s highest ideals: compassion, solidarity, and an unwavering commitment to protect human life. By documenting and sharing their testimonies, we strengthen our collective resolve to prevent such atrocities in the future.” ALSO READ: Q&A with Freddy Mutanguha, CEO Aegis Trust The programme will include lectures, meetings with Rwandan counterparts, and visits to historical locations such as the Hôtel des Mille Collines, Stade Amahoro, Former ETO Kicukiro, Byumba, Mulindi, and other sites where the peacekeepers operated in 1994. “Hosting these remarkable people is both an honour and a responsibility,” said Freddy Mutanguha, the Chief Executive Officer of the Aegis Trust. “Their stories bridge the perspectives of survivors, rescuers, and liberators, offering a powerful reminder of what it means to stand for humanity in the darkest of times. We believe their voices will inspire not just Rwandans, but people across Africa and around the world, to reject hatred and choose courage.” The delegation includes Maj Gen (Rtd) Clayton Boanubah Yaache from Ghana, Brig Gen (Rtd) Martin Owusu-Ababio from Ghana, Brig Gen Elhadji Babacar Faye from Senegal, Brig Gen Stephen Parbey from Ghana, Major (Rtd) Peter Sosi from Ghana, Ex WO II Lucas Norvihoho from Ghana, and Ex WO I Sampson Agyare from Ghana.
