East African Gazette
Rwanda
The 30th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda saw the presence of numerous world dignitaries, including former United States President Bill Clinton.
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They gathered in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, to join the Rwandan people in paying tribute to the victims of this tragic genocide.
The event took place at the Kigali Genocide Memorial on April 7, 2024, where the ‘Flame of Remembrance’ was lit by President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame.
This flame burns for 100 days, symbolizing the country’s commitment to honoring the memory of the victims within the 100 days of the tragic massacre.
The commemoration, held under the theme “Remember-Unite-Renew,” also focuses on Rwanda’s remarkable transformation over the past 30 years.
It is a solemn occasion to remember the more than one million innocent Tutsi and Hutus who lost their lives during the 100-day massacre orchestrated by Hutu extremist Militia.
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Since the tragic massacre, President Kagame outlawed Rwandan ID cards indicating an individual as Hutu or Tutsi.
The wreaths were laid by President Kagame and other dignitaries to honor not only the 250,000 victims interred at the memorial mass graves but also all the victims of the genocide across the country. Representing President Yoweri Museveni, the Vice President of Uganda, Rtd Maj. Jessica Alupo, was also in attendance.
The wreath-laying ceremony was done in three main sections: senior officials of Rwanda, their guests, and international organizations; former heads of state and government; and the current heads of state and government.
Among other former leaders included: Nicolas Sarkozy ( former President of France), former US President Bill Clinton, former President of South Africa Thabo Mbeki, former Prime Minister Heilemariam Dessalegn of Ethiopia and the First Lady, among others.
Among the current heads of state, included the Prime Minister of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed and the First Lady, President of the Czech Republic and the First Lady, President Sassou Nguesso of Congo, Samia Suluhu of Tanzania, and Salva Kiir of South Sudan among others.
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Various activities will recommence following a four-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. Among these is the Walk to Remember initiative, which has been approved to proceed, albeit with a restricted participation of only 3000 individuals.
April 7, 2024 marks the start of a week of national mourning, and national flags will be flown at half-mast.
Music will not be allowed in public places or on the radio, while sports events and movies are banned from TV broadcasts, unless connected to what has been dubbed “Kwibuka (Remembrance) 30”.
President Kagame expressed in his address to the leaders that the international community did not support his country during the 1994 genocide.
“Rwanda was completely humbled by the magnitude of our loss. And the lessons we learned are engraved in blood. It was the international community which failed all of us, whether from contempt or cowardice,” he said.
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