More than 800 former employees of the Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI), its affiliated institutions were killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The event to commemorate them brought together survivors, former colleagues, government officials and representatives of Ibuka on Friday, May 15 at the ministry headquarters, where a call for continued efforts to fight genocide ideology and preserve Rwanda’s history was made. ALSO READ: PHOTOS: MINAGRI honors over 800 former staff killed in 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi Figures from the ministry show that out of 5,900 people who were employed by MINAGRI, its institutions and projects in 1994, about 800 have so far been identified as victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi. The Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Telesphore Ndabamenye, said remembering the victims is a collective responsibility. “It is a moment to reflect on the painful history our country went through, honour innocent victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi, and renew our commitment to ensuring that genocide never happens again,” Ndabamenye said. ALSO READ: PICTORIAL: How Kwibuka 32 unfolded in Rwanda Ndabamenye said that, on top of claiming human lives, the Genocide severely affected Rwanda’s agriculture sector, disrupting farming and livestock activities, destroying infrastructure, and crippling research and development projects that supported livelihoods. However, he said the country rebuilt through resilience and unity, noting that the agriculture sector is once again playing a key role in economic development, job creation and poverty reduction. He also comforted families of the slain MINAGRI employees, quoting President Paul Kagame’s message that “Rwanda will not die twice.” “Despite the devastation left by the Genocide, Rwandans chose unity and rebuilding the country together,” the minister said. ALSO READ: Kwibuka32: Rwanda will not die twice, says Kagame Speaking during a discussion on the history of the genocide, Christian Bizimana, an official from the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement, said agriculture and livestock were among the tools used during the colonial era to divide Rwandans. “In order for the Genocide against the Tutsi to happen, divisions were first sown among Rwandans using issues linked to farming and livestock,” he said. Bizimana added that remembering victims who were killed and humiliated during the Genocide is a way of restoring the dignity they were denied. Bizimana noted that genocide ideology had spread even within institutions, including in tea factories and agricultural projects, where some workers were killed by their colleagues. Janvier Bayingana, who represented the survivor's organisation Ibuka, said the genocide destroyed lives, unity, humanity and livelihoods, adding that its effects continue to affect survivors. “Even after 32 years, some survivors still carry physical and psychological wounds. Commemoration remains important as part of the journey of healing and fighting the effects of the Genocide,” he said. Laurent Gashugi, a former MINAGRI employee, recounted losing his two children, who were killed during the Genocide while he was in Japan for training. His daughter Aliane, aged nine, and his son Patrick, aged five, were killed on May 15, 1994. “Aliane’s last words were, ‘Remain in prayer.’ Patrick said, ‘I’m sorry, I will not be Tutsi anymore,’” an emotional Gashugi recalled. Gashugi, who worked in the Ministry of Agriculture from 1979, said he had experienced discrimination in some workplaces before the Genocide, including being accused of supporting the RPF Inkotanyi just because he was Tutsi. However, he noted that some politicians and government officials did not support the genocidal plan. Among them was former Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Frédéric Nzamurambaho, who was also president of Social Democratic Party (PSD). Nzamunambaho was killed at the start of the Genocide. Jotham Niyogakiza, a representative of survivors whose relatives worked in former MINAGRI institutions, said his brother, who worked at OCIR Thé, was killed in the early days of the Genocide after being betrayed by colleagues and friends who had promised to protect him. “Some victims were buried alive by people they trusted,” Niyogakiza said, recalling the brutality of the killings. Despite the tragedy, he thanked the post-Genocide leadership for restoring unity and rebuilding the country, and called on Rwandans to continue supporting survivors.
