Yesterday, at Kigali Memorial centre , Rwanda launched commemorative activities that will cover three months to remember innocent Tutsi who passed away in 1994 genocide. During the opening session, the lighting of a flame of remembrance was the main activity, a flame that will be taken through all districts of the nation.
This event was attended by different dignitaries from all over the world. The programs to take place include discussions that will be held in Rwanda, UK and in USA to discuss on history that led to genocide and measures to avoid such atrocities from happening.
The over all remembrance events are scheduled to take place at the UN headquarters , New York, USA and at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Minister of foreign affairs Louise Mushikwabo, who was the invited guest of honour, said that remembering our beloved ones helps Rwandans to reflect on our history so to take firm resolutions to move forward in development.
She said that as we remember the victims of the genocide we are the ones to fight against the genocide ideology and against all that can create conditions for a genocide to happen either in Rwanda or elsewhere in the world.
Minister Mushikiwabo lauded remarkable economic achievements Rwanda has done 20 years after the genocide and she underlined the fact that Never again slogan should be translated into firm actions not just remain mere words.
She said that all these achievements resulted from joint efforts between Rwandans and shier leaders who tirelessly worked for the advancement of living conditions of all Rwandans.
Minister Mushikiwabo urged the entire world to join efforts and means to fight against genocide ideology promoters wherever they are and against all the manners they use including ICT based tools.
Abayisenga Theodette, one of the genocide survivors who provided witness on what she went through reminded Rwandans that unity is better than disunity. She said that promoting our Rwandan spirit will be a milestone in building our future free of violence and disunity.
Abayisenga survived the genocide against the Tutsi when she was a student in Nyange secondary school but she is now living with disabilities resulting from the painful experiences she encountered during the genocide.
Once we will be fully knowledgeable on the usefulness of the Rwandan spirit, it will be a big step towards a full self reliance for our country and I am sure we will achieve it, she concluded.
UM– USEKE.RW
