Survivors’ stories vital in preserving history

Yesterday marked the beginning of the commemoration period of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Rwandans and friends of Rwanda across the world are participating in the 18th commemoration by holding a number of events, including vigils and conferences.An international conference on genocide, held in Kigali last week, came up with a number of proposals. It was suggested that the survivors of the Genocide should tell their stories as they are the people best suited to give an accurate account of what happened.As noted elsewhere, many western scholars have come up with books but they cannot match the detail of information the survivors posses.Although a number of survivors have published works telling their stories in regard to the genocide, more needs to be done, especially among those inside the country.Some heroic acts that were carried out by ordinary people by way of resisting the genocide forces in 1994 have remained untold. It is important that, as part of the national historical records, such stories are told and as such they will serve as a lesson for future generations.Furthermore, there are various attempts to downplay or even deny aspects of the Genocide as well as distort or completely alter what happened. The accounts of survivors will also help discredit such attempts.