As a student in China, marking the 30th anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda took on a different tone this year. It was my first time commemorating Kwibuka away from Rwanda, and the usual emotional intensity of the day felt significantly reduced. I deeply missed my family and friends, and it felt as though a vital part of my identity was missing.

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As April 7, drew closer, I pondered how to meaningfully honour this significant day while so far from home. Becoming more involved with the Rwandan community here in China turned out to be the solution. This connection provided a comforting sense of familiarity and continuity, helping me maintain the spirit of Kwibuka, even while thousands of kilometres away from home.

Rwanda is part of us

As Kwibuka approached, our anxiety deepened, yet we felt more connected through our love for Rwanda, empathy for survivors, and pride in our nation's progress. On April 7, the atmosphere was heavy with shared memories, especially poignant as we watched Rwandans, including those born abroad, actively participating in remembrance and carrying forward our rich heritage.

As the commemoration event unfolded, it was time for a survivor's testimony. I had never imagined hearing such a powerful account in China. Narcisse Mulinga who was only 11 during the genocide took the stage to share his story, detailing the cruel nature of the selective killings and showcasing not only his resilience but also that of many genocide survivors. His testimony shone as a beacon of hope and inspiration, touching the hearts of everyone present, Rwandans and foreigners alike.

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My Kwibuka abroad reinforced a profound realization: Rwanda is more than a place—it lives within us, a constant presence in our hearts, igniting a sense of home whenever and wherever Rwandans gather.

Championing our history

At our commemoration event, our Chinese friends demonstrated their solidarity with Rwanda. Despite a limited understanding of our nation’s painful history, they are committed to being part of Rwanda's future. While their interest might largely lie in mutual benefits through robust economic and trade relations, their media platforms have become a crucial space for our campaigns against genocide denial and the spread of hate speech.

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This is all the more important as 30 years after the genocide, there is a concerning trend: international media coverage of the commemoration is waning, and there is an ongoing struggle with using the correct terminology, "Genocide against the Tutsi." This oversight threatens to erase the memory of these atrocities.

The commitment to "Never Again" appears increasingly fragile. Thirty years may seem long enough for the world to forget, and over a million lives lost still not enough to unite us in combating genocide denial and hate speech. We must question whether we have learned from the past, or more importantly, whether we can ensure such horrors never repeat.

As Rwandans, our responsibility is to keep the memory alive by assertively sharing our stories across all media. Every Rwandan’s participation is crucial in the gradual healing of our nation’s open wounds. We must step onto the global stage and assert our right to self-representation. Regardless of the nature of the news—good or bad—only we have the authenticity and moral authority to narrate our own history, the story of a resilient nation of a thousand hills and a united people.

The author is a Rwandan student in China