Members of the French Business Club in Rwanda, known as ‘Le Club d'affaires francais au Rwanda,’ together with members of the European Business Chamber of Rwanda (EBCR), and other distinguished subsidiaries, marked the 30th Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi by honouring the victims laid to rest at Nyamata Genocide Memorial.

The commemoration began with a tour of the memorial, where staff members learned about its unique history. They reflected on the pain endured by the Tutsi community in the area, as well as the journey of rebuilding. Wreaths were laid on the graves of the over 45,000 innocent people who perished in the Genocide.

Sophie Tchatchoua, Managing Director of Canal Plus Rwanda and current president of the club, commended everyone for honouring the memory of the Genocide victims. She emphasised the importance of bearing witness to such atrocities and striving for "never again”.

Tchatchoua further stated that it is the club’s responsibility to engage in the country’s rebuilding process, as it is integral to the journey towards peace and prosperity.

Johanna Sandberg, Executive Director of the European Business Chamber of Rwanda, highlighted that this was the third consecutive year the club had organised such a commemorative activity. She stressed the importance of solidarity with the Rwandan people and the necessity of ongoing remembrance to prevent such tragedies from happening again.

French Ambassador to Rwanda, Antoine Anfre, expressed gratitude for the organisation of the commemoration. He emphasised the educational value of visiting memorials like Nyamata, which provide a part of Rwanda’s history leading up to the Genocide.

Anfre recounted the international context surrounding the Genocide, underscoring the failure of various actors to prevent the tragedy. He stressed the importance of acknowledging the truth of what occurred and learning from it to prevent future atrocities.

Through such commemorative events, the French Business Club in Rwanda reaffirms its commitment to remembering the past and supporting Rwanda’s journey towards healing and reconciliation.

Every year, Rwandans and friends of Rwanda commemorate the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, paying tribute to the victims while standing in solidarity with the survivors.

The Genocide, which lasted from April through July 1994, claimed the lives of over one million people.