Prime Minister Anastase Murekezi has tipped politicians on good leadership during a commemorative vigil organised by the Office of the Prime Minister and affiliated organs in memory of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

According to Murekezi, bad leadership, right from colonial times to subsequent regimes in Rwanda, was the root of the Genocide that was perpetrated against the Tutsi.

The premier explained how divisionism was embraced and spread by post-independence regimes, resulting into the Genocide in which over a million Rwandans died. 

He equated bad leadership that characterised Rwanda with darkness brought about by leaders who in the ideal world ought to bring light to their citizens.

That darkness, he said, clouded all sectors, including religions.

Murekezi denounced leaders who embraced evil and commended those who withstood it like Agathe Uwiringiyimana, the former prime minister, among others, "whose bravery will never be forgotten.”

According to the premier, politicians should promote unity among people instead of division.

"A good politician should not look at what separates people, but what brings them together since there are many things that unite them,” he noted, adding that good leadership is inclusive, gives same opportunities to all and leads people to dignity and self-reliance,” he said.

During the vigil, a candle that symbolises hope was lit.

Dr Jean Damascene Bizimana, the executive secretary of the national commission for the fight against the genocide (CNLG), outlined various facts proving that the genocide was prepared early.

He showed that genocide ideology was taught through the media, churches, political parties, meetings, and included all people, from peasants to intellectuals.

Testimonies

Vincent Ntaganira, an official from the Office of the Prime Minister, gave testimony of the horrors of the Genocide and his miraculous survival story from Ruhanga, Gasabo district.

Musician Dieudonne Munyanshoza, best known for soothing songs, performed different songs of this kind.Pastor Antoine Rutayisire led the prayers at the event.

Earlier in the day, Murekezi had led different officials from the Office of the Prime Minister and affiliated organs on a tour of Nyanza Memorial Site in Kicukiro District.

At the memorial site, 11,000 victims, including thousands who were abandoned by UN peacekeepers from Belgium at former ETO Kicukiro, are laid to rest.

Murekezi consoled survivors and reassured Rwandans that genocide will not happen in the country again.

"For those who lost relatives, friends and neighbours, you should be strong and take courage from the leadership the country has. We are a country that is moving forward and that has learnt from our past. We have a leadership that is determined to ensure that genocide never happens again,” he said.

"We will continue to commemorate the Genocide against the Tutsi, denouncing the cruelty of perpetrators, the cowardice of UN peacekeepers and pay tribute to those who stopped it. And we are collectively determined to fight those who still have genocide ideology,” Murekezi said.

He added that Rwandans have tasted the benefits of living together peacefully, "thus, they can’t allow anyone to tempt them to abandon unity.”

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