The Rwandan community and friends of Rwanda living in Khartoum, Sudan and other parts of the North African country, on Thursday, gathered at Hotel Salam Rotana to mark the 21st anniversary of the  Genocide against the Tutsi.

The event  was organised by the Rwanda Diplomatic Office in Sudan. It preceded similar events that took place in various regions across the country, including North Darfur, Central Darfur and Abyei.

During the event, mourners watched two films tracing the 1994 Genocide from the build-up, implementation and consequences of the Genocide as well as a poem recited by Hemed Niyibizi,  a Rwandan student at International University of Africa.

The Rwandan envoy to  Sudan, Ismail Shyaka Kajugiro, reiterated the importance of "kwibuka” (rememberance) which he said aims at paying tribute to the more than one million lives that were lost and to comfort the survivors.  

Kajugiro discussed Genocide denial, saying that Genocide deniers include scholars who had close ties with the genocidal regime  and perpetrators of the Genocide.

"I appeal to the international community to stand against Genocide denial and recognise the incredible bravery of those who rescued others during the Genocide,” Kajugiro said.

The event was attended by Sudanese government officials, Members of the Diplomatic Community, members of the Rwandan Diaspora in Sudan (mostly Rwandans studying at the International University of Africa), as well as friends of Rwanda. At least 250 people were in  attendance.

The Government of Sudan was represented by Amb. Adil Yusuf Bannaqa, director of African Affairs at the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Amb. Bannaqa said the 1994 Genocide did not only take away lives of innocent people but also left millions around the world in shock and grief.

 "We remember the agony, pain and stories of violence that  our Rwandan counterparts went through,”Bannaqa said.

He commended Rwandans for emerging out of a tragic past stronger and full of hope as they follow the path of stability, economic growth and wisdom.

He pledged to foster improved relations between his country and Rwanda.