On Sunday, April 21, the Rwandan community in Mauritius, joined by esteemed guests and dignitaries, convened at the African Leadership College (ALC) to mark the 30th Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
Organised in collaboration with the Rwanda High Commission, the event featured a ‘Walk of Remembrance’ to honour the memory of the victims and reflect on the enduring lessons learned from one of humanity’s darkest chapters.
Among the participants including Honourable Maneesh Gobin, Attorney General and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, along with Dr Nikesh Patel, Excellency Honorary Consul for the Republic of Rwanda in Mauritius, Didas Mungarurire, 1st Counsellor, High Commission of the Republic of Rwanda in South Africa, Veda Sunassee, CEO at the African Leadership University and other notable figures, graced the occasion.
Notably, the ceremony aimed to honour the memory of Genocide victims and promote understanding and action to prevent future atrocities.
Participants engaged in reflection on the lessons of resilience and unity that commemoration embodies. The event featured a walk to remember, the national anthem, a minute of silence, lighting candles of hope, testimonials, musical performances, name readings, and messages of hope, among other activities.
In his speech, Mungarurire said, "Kwibuka calls us to reflect on a tragedy marked by the loss of over a million Tutsi lives within just a hundred days under the watch of the international community. This stark reality compels us to deeply consider our moral obligations and the actions required to prevent such atrocities in the future. This commemoration transcends mere remembrance; it is an active renewal of our collective commitment to the principles of justice, peace, and human dignity.”
He said: "Honourable Minister, your presence at this Kwibuka strengthens the deep and enduring bonds between Mauritius and Rwanda—It reflects our shared commitment to remember the past and our proactive dedication to prevent such atrocities in the future. Together, we demonstrate that remembrance is an active, ongoing process—a commitment to learning and action that protects our future.”
Over the past three decades, he said, Rwanda has transformed profound anguish into a purposeful mission, integrating the harsh lessons of the past into the very fabric of its national identity and global outreach. "By embedding the history and lessons of the Genocide into our educational systems, we empower our future generations. They learn the importance of rejecting hatred and division, crucial steps toward fostering a peaceful society.”
Building on this foundation, he added, "our commitment to education and remembrance acts as a safeguard against the erosion of truth and the threat of genocide denial. By preserving factual evidence and promoting an accurate narrative, we support not only the survivors but also contribute to global efforts towards understanding, reconciliation, and justice. Our pursuit of accountability for the perpetrators is central to our commitment to justice, which serves as the cornerstone of lasting peace. This commitment extends beyond our national borders, enhancing international partnerships and stressing the global imperative that impunity must find no sanctuary.”
Referring to the youth, Mungarurire said they are not just the inheritors of Rwanda’s history, but they are the architects of a future Rwanda defined by unity and peace. "You hold the responsibility to ensure that the atrocities of our past find no echo in the future. Embrace this role with passion and dedication, ensuring that your actions today shape a brighter, more peaceful tomorrow.”
In his closing remarks, Mungarurire encouraged a world where justice prevails, and peace is a tangible reality for all.
"Remember, if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together. Together, we have the power to transform ‘never again’ from a hopeful mantra into a resolute reality.”
Patel, in his address, emphasised that ‘Kwibuka’ serves a multifaceted purpose in both the national consciousness of Rwanda and the broader international community’s efforts to prevent future genocides.
He said: "Kwibuka is grounded in several key objectives: Firstly, it is to remember the innocent lives lost, time to honour their memory, acknowledge the suffering of the survivors, a reminder to the world of the consequences of hatred and division, an opportunity for the international community to stand in solidarity with Rwanda and reinforce our collective to foster a world where such atrocities are relegated to history, and never to be repeated.”
He added that the moment fosters a sense of unity and reconciliation amongst Rwandans, and it reinforces the commitment to being a united people and a united country and more importantly to educate and raise awareness.
"By educating, he continued, we can ensure future generations learn from the past, increase their understanding of the causes, and help prevent any recurrences, anywhere in the world.”
Equally, justice and accountability, are another objective of Kwibuka—there is a need to get justice for the victims.
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Patel said it is mind-boggling to think that after 30 years there are still perpetrators who roam about freely. Some people treat the Genocide against the Tutsi as unfinished business, people who deny it, and others who revise historical facts.
"But all of them will never succeed. Rwandans are resilient, they are a people full of purpose, full of hope. The immensity of what Rwanda has achieved these past 30 years is almost miraculous – from being a failed state, to now being considered an African success story,” he said.
"The Rwandans of today have achieved a lot, therefore they have a lot to defend, which they will do without any hesitation or apology,” he noted.