The nation of Rwanda will mark the 30th anniversary of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi minority this Sunday, April 7th, with somber commemorations and renewed calls for unity.
The 30th Commemoration, known as Kwibuka30, is being held under the theme “Remember-Unite-Renew” as the country remembers the over 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus systematically massacred during the 100-day genocide three decades ago.
Several heads of states and diplomats including Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ali is in Rwanda, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, President Petr Pavel of Czech Republic, UK Minister of State for Development & Africa, Rt. Hon. Andrew Mitchell, Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General have already arrived in the country for the ceremony.
A series of events are planned across Rwanda on the anniversary date, beginning with a “Walk to Remember” through the streets of Kigali. This will be followed by a high-level commemorative event gathering several heads of state, dignitaries, and survivors at the Kigali Genocide Memorial.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame and other government officials will be in attendance to pay tribute to those killed and reaffirm the nation’s commitment to ensuring such atrocities never happen again.
In the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, the African Union Commission is organizing its own commemoration through the Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security.
This event at the AU Headquarters will echo the “Remember-Unite-Renew” theme and feature a Walk to Remember alongside high-level speakers.
UNESCO has also announce organizing similar ceremony on 7 April 2024 at UNESCO Headquarters to commemorate this important anniversary and honoring the many victims and survivors of the genocide,
For Rwanda, the 30th anniversary represents another milestone in the long journey of healing, justice and renewal following the horrific genocide carried out by ethnic Hutu extremists against the Tutsi population and moderate Hutus.
Under Kagame’s leadership, the nation has undertaken the arduous task of rebuilding from the devastation while promoting reconciliation and a unified Rwandan identity. However, the trauma inflicted in 1994 remains a deep wound.
As the world’s attention turns to Kigali this weekend, Rwanda will gather in commemoration but also look ahead – aiming to honor the victims while upholding the mantra of “Never Again.”
