Thousands of mourners during a solemn walk from IPRC-Kigali to Nyanza Genocide Memorial in Kicukiro District as part of the 30th commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi on Thursday April 11. PHOTOS BY DAN GATSINZI
Thousands of Rwandans participated in a solemn walk from IPRC-Kigali to Nyanza Genocide Memorial in Kicukiro District as part of the 30th commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi on Thursday, April 11.
Held annually, the walk has come to epitomise the abandonment of Rwanda by the international community. During the Genocide, thousands of Tutsi were abandoned UN peacekeepers and were made to walk to their death at Nyanza hill.
The memorial is home to more than 105,000 genocide victims who were killed on the hill and other nearby parts of the district.
The New Times' photographer Dan Gatsinzi captured some highlights.
The Walk to Remember started at former ETO KICUKIRO
Each year on the same date, Rwandans, especially Kicukiro residents, join together in a Walk to Remember ceremony from ETO Kicukiro up to the memorial site on top of the hill in Kicukiro Sector to commemorate.
The Walk To Remember was part of night vigil to honour victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi at Nyanza Genocide Memorial, in Kigali, as part of the 30th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide.
Thousands of Kigali residents trekking Nyanza-Kicukiro memorial walk on Thursday April 11
The walk has come to epitomise the abandonment of Rwanda by the international community. During the Genocide, thousands of Tutsi were abandoned UN peacekeepers and were made to walk to their death at Nyanza hill.
Participants during a Walk to Remember. Each year on April 11, Rwandans, especially Kicukiro residents, join together in a Walk to Remember ceremony from ETO Kicukiro up to the memorial site on top of the hill in Kicukiro Sector to commemorate.
While addressing mourners who turned up for the commemoration, Speaker of Parliament Donatille Mukabalisa urged the youth not to let their guard down due to the peace ushered in by the current government, but rather fight to sustain the gains made.
Family members of the victims brought wreaths to pay tribute to them.
The commemoration event at Nyanza memorial was attended by many residents from Kigali city and friends of Rwanda
The commemoration event on April 11, took place at Nyanza-Kicukiro Genocide Memorial.
Speaker of Parliament Donatille Mukantabana is helped to light a candle in memory of Genocide victims interred at Nyanza Genocide Memorial in Kicukiro District on Thursday, April 11
Aimable Havugiyaremye Prosecutor General and Minister of Education Gaspard Twagirayezu during the event
Officials lighting candles at the evening of commemoration
Speaker of Parliament Donatille Mukabalisa graced the commemoration at Nyanza Kicukiro Genocide Memorial on Thursday April 11. Photos by Dan Gatsinzi
Wellars Gasamagera, the Secretary General of the RPF-Inkotanyi, lighting candles during the commemoration
The Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo, observes a moment of silence to pay tribute to victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi
Ambassador of EU to Rwanda Belén Calvo Uyarra observes a moment of silence to honour victims. Ambassador Uyarra was among many diplomats who attended the commemoration event at Nyanza-Kicukiro Genocide Memorial
China’s ambassador to Rwanda Wang Xuekun during the event
Thousands of Rwandans participated in a solemn walk from IPRC-Kigali to Nyanza Genocide Memorial in Kicukiro District as part of the 30th commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi on Thursday, April 11.
Speaker of Parliament Donatille Mukabalisa lays a wreath to pay tribute to victims at Nyanza Kicukiro Genocide Memorial on Thursday April 11. Photos by Dan Gatsinzi
Members of the diplomatic corps and government officials lay wreaths to pay tribute to victims of the Genocide.
Names of victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi at Nyanza-Kicukiro Genocide Memorial
Mourners lay wreaths to pay respects to victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi laid to rest at Nyanza-Kicukiro Genocide Memorial.
Mourners observe a moment of silence to pay tribute to victims at the memorial. Nyanza-Kicukiro memorial is the final resting place of over 100,000 victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi. DAN KWIZERA
During the event survivors shared testimonies
Volunteers help a trauma victim at the commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi at Nyanza-Kicukiro Genocide Memorial
A panel discussion to help mourners understand the history of Rwanda
Youth who attended the commemoration event on April 11.
The memorial is the final resting place of over 100,000 victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi. DAN KWIZERA
The memorial is home to more than 105,000 genocide victims who were killed on the hill and other nearby parts of the district.