An Ethiopian delegation is on a working visit in Rwanda to learn from the country’s journey of unity and reconciliation.

The delegation of doctors, researchers and officials visited the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE), and also took part in celebrating the closure of 15 weeks of training program on societal trauma healing in Ntarama sector, Bugesera District, organised by Interpeace- an international organisation for peacebuilding that supports locally led initiatives around the world.

Asma Redi, the Director General of Nation Building at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Peace, said that Rwanda is a historical country which has passed through trauma and managed to build a peaceful country again.

"Ethiopia has been going through something similar because of civil wars. We learn from the worst case of Rwanda and how Rwandans have managed through unity and reconciliation,” she said.

The training program on societal trauma healing was offered to both survivors and perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi (who served their time in prison and were integrated back to the community).

John Nahimana, one of the trainees and a resident of Ntarama, confessed to having taken part in the tragedies of the 1994 Genocide. During this training, he revealed that he encountered a number of people he was targeting to kill during the genocide.

Nahimana went ahead and asked for forgiveness from the community.

"I was ashamed to face everyone because of what I had done, when we met through societal trauma healing, we forgave each other. And I was able to be free again and live in the community happily because I was forgiven. We chose unity and reconciliation,” he said.

Hilariya Mukarukundo, a survivor, said that she was badly wounded but managed to survive with her son.

"I received treatment and healed from the wounds. Through the trauma healing programs, we heal; we live together and share what we have.” Mukarukundo said.

Redi said that Rwanda’s journey of building the future is promising, basing on what has been done so far.

"Diversity shouldn’t be a reason for division; we have enough resources to share. We should focus on how to use the resources in place to build our countries and grow our economies. Rwanda made a better choice,” she said.

Yvette Imanishimwe, Vice Mayor in charge of social affairs, Bugesera District, said that such activities complement the unity and reconciliation efforts.

"The village has 110 families with 560 people, 68 of them are survivors of the 1994 genocide against Tutsi, while 28 of them were perpetrators who strive for reconciliation every day.

"And we are proud to say that they have achieved this and are now looking forward to developing themselves as well as contributing to the development of the country,” she added.

Margret Mahoro, Researcher and Programs Officer at Interpeace, said that listening to testimonies shared shows that there is work in progress in terms of unity and reconciliation.