Rwandans living in the Russian capital Moscow and their friends gathered at the country’s embassy to commemorate and mourn the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

During last Thursday’s event, two documentaries "Ubumuntu” and "Our Hope, Our Future” were screened, followed by a candle-lighting ceremony that signified remembrance of all the victims of the Genocide and a hope for a brighter future for the survivors and the nation.

Speaking at the night vigil, Rwanda’s envoy to Russia Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya underlined the importance of commemorating the more than a million lives lost during the country’s 100 darkest days.

"We commemorate all the children, men and women, and the unborn babies that were mercilessly killed,” she said.

She recalled that the Genocide was stopped by Rwandans themselves in the form of the Rwanda Patriotic Front who waged a liberation campaign to stop the killings.

"Today, we want to express our gratitude to all those who sacrificed their youth to stop the Genocide and liberate Rwanda. As we continue to remember and honour our loved ones, let us unite and work together to build up a stronger and healthier nation.”

Amb. Mujawamariya urged Rwandans in Moscow to embrace heroism and professionalism in whatever they do and to actively contribute toward building a better Rwanda.

Mujawamariya said Genocide architects and implementers had an agenda to exterminate all Tutsi in Rwanda, an ideology he said still exists to date.

"Up till today we still have Genocide deniers and ideologues out there who are still keen on seeing Rwanda fall back to its ugly past, we should continue to work together to deny such people a chance to see to what they wish for,” she said. "Let’s all be patriotic and help make our country self reliant.”

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