Rwandans residing in Egypt, alongside several high-ranking officials from the Egyptian government, convened on April 20 in Cairo to pay tribute to victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and to urge the international community to be vigilant against such atrocities and ensure they are either prevented or stopped form ever happening again.
Among the attendees were distinguished military officers from the Egyptian army, ambassadors, attachés, and representatives from various multilateral organizations. The event was graced by the presence of Deputy Assistant Minister for Nile Basin Countries, Amb. Saafat Ahmed, who noted the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi "stirs grief in our hearts, yet also instills hope that such tragedy can be prevented through collective learning from past mistakes."
Ahmed underscored Rwanda’s remarkable journey towards recovery, commending the resilience and unity demonstrated by its people under the leadership of President Paul Kagame.
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He remarked that Rwanda has transformed into an inspirational success story and a model of progress admired worldwide. Highlighting the growing relations between Egypt and Rwanda, he mentioned Egypt's oversight of the construction of a cardiac hospital, a testament to the strengthening ties between the two nations.
However, Ahmed cautioned against complacency, emphasizing that the echoes of the genocide still reverberate across the region three decades later. He called upon the international community to redouble its efforts to prevent violence and hatred wherever they may arise, echoing the sentiment of collective responsibility to ensure such atrocities are never repeated.
Dr. Mohamadou Labarang, the Dean of African Ambassadors in Egypt, also paid homage to the victims of the Genocide and praised Rwandans for their commitment to unity and the construction of an inclusive and peaceful society.
He emphasized that the Genocide was not an isolated event but rather a culmination of deep-seated ethnic divisions exacerbated by historical colonial legacies and divisive politics.
Labarang condemned the lamentable inaction of the international community and the United Nations, stressing the imperative for timely intervention to prevent such tragedies.
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Rwanda's Ambassador to Egypt, Dan Munyuza, recounted Rwanda’s tumultuous history, the heroic efforts to halt the Genocide, and the strides made in its aftermath.
Munyuza reflected on the loss of life during the 100 days of the Genocide, emphasizing that it wasn't just Rwanda but the entire world that suffered a profound loss. He hailed the resilience of survivors and emphasized the need to ensure a future free from such horrors.
Munyuza, who was part of the Rwanda Patriotic Army that stopped the Genocide and liberated Rwanda, credited the courageous actions of young Rwandans, led by President Kagame, in ending the genocide and establishing peace and security.
Despite significant progress, challenges persist, including the presence of the FDLR terrorist group in the DR Congo, comprised of perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Munyuza made the call regarding ongoing atrocities in eastern DRC, perpetrated by groups like the FDLR, and called upon the international community to address the plight of victims of ethnic cleansing perpetrated by the Kinshasa government and its militia allies.