Residents enlightened on causes of 1994 Genocide against Tutsi

NORTHERN PROVINCE GICUMBI — Residents of Byumba town were on Wednesday enlightened on the causes of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi and measures being undertaken to avoid its re-occurrence. The call was made by various local and district leaders on the second day of commemorating the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi , held at Gicumbi district conference hall. Addressing those present, Mayor Bonane Nyangezi attributed the causes of Genocide to greedy past leaders who divided Rwandans along ethnic lines to remain in power. ‘Ethnic division was taught for a long time and its fruits were reaped in the 1959 ethnic cleansing, which subsequently resulted in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi ’, said Nyangezi. Regarding avoidance of Genocide re-occurrence in Rwanda, Mayor Nyangezi called upon parents to teach their children to desist from promoting ethnic division. He advised parents to embrace love, unity and inculcate a sense of collective effort to develop the Rwandan economy. The officer in charge of cooperatives Appolinaire Habiyakare lashed out at 1994 Genocide deniers based abroad, saying that the arm of the law will eventually catch up with them. ‘Genocide deniers based abroad have their days numbered because the law will soon catch up with them’, said Habiyakare. On his part the officer in charge of the electoral commission Richard Gakwerere said that commemoration of 1994 Genocide against Tutsi is very important as it gives the citizens a pointer of how retrogressive politics led to the Genocide.He then made a call for all to assist Genocide survivors as a way of participating in the country’s reconstruction efforts. ‘Commemoration is the only way to heal the wounds and broken souls left behind by the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi ’, said Gakwerere. Ends