Inside Rwanda’s new genocide and conflict studies centre

The University of Rwanda has launched the Centre for Genocide and Conflict Studies (CGCS), a major step in strengthening the country’s capacity for research, education, and policy engagement on genocide prevention, peacebuilding, and conflict transformation. ALSO READ: NUR to offer Masters in Genocide studies The Centre replaces and builds on the former Centre for Conflict Management (CCM), which served for 27 years, and has now been restructured to address emerging threats such as genocide denial, hate ideology, identity-based tensions, and digital misinformation. More than an academic institution, CGCS is positioned as part of Rwanda’s broader national architecture for prevention, resilience, unity, and sustainable peace. ALSO READ: NUR to offer Master’s in Genocide Studies Speaking at the launch on April 17, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Rwanda, Prof. Didace Muganga Kayihura, said: “In real terms, CGCS is not a new centre, but a new version of the Centre for Conflict Management (CCM) that has been operational for the last 27 years,” he said. “A new version that responds to evolving international and regional contexts marked by genocide denial, widespread hate ideology and speech, identity politics, and all forms of manipulation, as well as national development realities.” He explained that CCM was created in 1999 with a mandate to generate knowledge on genocide, conflict, and reconstruction through research and training. Over time, it built a strong academic foundation, producing extensive research and training hundreds of postgraduate students in peace and conflict studies. According to him, the transition to CGCS preserves continuity while strengthening relevance. “The shift from CCM to CGCS introduces change while preserving continuity,” he noted. “The introduction of ‘genocide’ in the new name of the Centre, alongside ‘conflict’, signals a focus on both concepts.” Responding to emerging threats Kayihura warned that 32 years after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, the region continues to face complex and evolving challenges. He noted that genocide denial and hate ideology, amplified by the unethical use of social media and emerging technologies, are becoming increasingly concerning. He further pointed out that internal reports and national consultations have consistently highlighted the persistence of genocide ideology. “Recent parliamentary consultations rightly concluded that genocide ideology is persistent in Rwanda and the region,” he said, adding that there is a need to intensify efforts through education, research, and media engagement. Against this backdrop, he explained that the CGCS mission is to advance the prevention of genocide and other hate crimes while promoting a culture of peace through research, education, training, and policy dialogue. He stressed that this mission is guided by key principles, including the importance of memory, confronting past atrocities, promoting non-violence, respecting diversity, and strengthening dialogue and human rights as foundations for sustainable peace. A national and academic responsibility Minister of education Joseph Nsengimana underscored that the establishment of the Centre reflects both Rwanda’s history and its future aspirations. “Universities are not only centres of knowledge; they are guardians of memory and architects of the future,” he said. ALSO READ: An open letter to DR Congo’s verbose minister Patrick Muyaya He emphasized that Rwanda’s commitment to genocide prevention is deeply rooted in law and national policy. “Following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, our country made a deliberate and unwavering commitment: that genocide must never happen again here or anywhere else,” he said. “This commitment is not rhetorical. It is constitutional. Article 10 of our Constitution enshrines the prevention and punishment of genocide, the fight against denial and revisionism, and the eradication of genocide ideology and all forms of divisionism.” Nsengimana added that genocide prevention in Rwanda is a constitutional obligation, not a policy choice. “In Rwanda, genocide prevention is not a policy choice; it is a constitutional obligation,” he said, adding, “Peace is not merely the absence of conflict; it is the presence of knowledge, justice, and shared values.” From memory to action The minister reflected on lessons from the ongoing commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, warning that the world often had access to early warning information but failed to act. ALSO READ: A preventable genocide, a denied responsibility: What ‘Corridors of Power’ reveals about Rwanda “It reminds us that the international community had the knowledge, but lacked the will,” he said, adding, “Memory without action is not enough; knowledge must become prevention.” He emphasized that the CGCS must go beyond academic documentation and actively shape policy, dialogue, and public understanding. “Genocide is not an accident of history; it is a process, and processes can be studied, understood, and interrupted,” he said. “The true measure of academic excellence is not only what we publish, but what we prevent.” Building future generations and regional impact Nsengimana also highlighted the importance of youth engagement, noting that Rwanda’s future depends on how young people are educated and empowered. He stressed the need to equip youth with critical thinking skills, ethical grounding, and conflict resolution tools to counter misinformation and division. At the regional level, he said the Centre has the potential to become a hub for knowledge-sharing and collaboration across the Great Lakes region, which continues to face conflict and identity-based tensions. “The CGCS has the potential to become a regional resource,” he said. “Rwanda’s story is not only one of tragedy; it is also a source of lessons for humanity.” A centre for research and policy impact According to Aggée Shyaka, the head of the Centre, CGCS will focus on genocide prevention, conflict management, transitional justice, governance, and social cohesion. It will also revamp academic programmes, including the Master’s in Genocide Studies and Prevention, introduce a PhD programme, and expand short courses and policy engagement initiatives. Since 1999, the former CCM has produced significant academic output, graduating more than 902 postgraduate students, with an average annual intake of about 100 students. The new Centre will also strengthen research clusters, policy dialogue platforms, conferences, and interdisciplinary partnerships, ensuring that research is translated into real-world impact.

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Inside Rwanda’s new genocide and conflict studies centre