Renowned US-based poet Malaika Uwamahoro has released a new poem reflecting on the time the world watched as hell was unleashed in the country. 

Uwamahoro’s poem comes as Rwanda marks the 28th Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi which claimed over a million lives in a period of 100 days.

The writer released the poem as part of her role as an artist to spread a message as Rwandans commemorate. Below is the poem:

Remember it all…

Colonisers who

Divided us…

Corrupted politicians who

Incited us…

This world that turned

It’s back on us…

Remember it all…

Hearts fill with hatred,

Killings orchestrated,

Streets filled with bodies

Strained in blood-red,

Claiming lives loved and sacred.

Remember it all…

Survivors bearing

Wounds and scars still…

Carrying on…finding the will…

For them,

There is no mercy on these

Memories,

No remedies for these grievances…

These injustices…

They still cut deep,

Still creep…interrupt sleep…

They still disrupt their daily peace…

So remember it all…

And remember your part…

Mind your heart,

May it be a home for hope…

Watch your words,

May the soothe aching pain,

Protect and defend TRUTH again and

Again…

Pay attention to your actions,

May they stem from love only…

And May God above be with us…

As we remember this all…