The African Union (AU) on Friday marked the 23rd anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi at the headquarters of the pan-African bloc in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa.

In collaboration with Rwanda’s Embassy in Addis Ababa, the commemoration was held under the theme "Remember the Rwanda Genocide - Fight Genocide Ideology - Build on our Progress.”

The commemoration is held to remember the lives lost during the Genocide of 1994 in Rwanda, show solidarity with the survivors and unite to ensure it never happens again in Rwanda or elsewhere in Africa and beyond, said the AU.

Speaking on the occasion, Thomas Kwasi Quartey, Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission, said that the commemoration is held on annual basis to remember the victims and renew Africa’s collective commitment to protect human rights.

The event at AU involved activities including, lighting the Flame of Remembrance ceremony, screening of a documentary movie on 1994 Genocide against Tutsi, poem recitation, and musical dramas by school children, among others.

The commemoration is annually organised by the pan-African bloc following the AU policy organ decision to recognise the 7th of April as a day of remembrance of the victims of theGenocide and reaffirmation of Africa’s resolve to prevent and fight genocide on the continent.

The purpose of the commemoration is to continuously awaken greater awareness of the African peoples and the international community about the value of life and humanity, and to renew Africa’s collective commitment to protect and uphold fundamental human rights, said the AU.

Agencies