A group of youth who pioneered ‘Walk to Remember’ in Rwanda has urged their compatriots in Diaspora to use the same approach among others to fight against genocide denial that is on the rise.

"Walk to Remember” was conceived in 2009 by members of Peace and Love Proclaimers (PLP) to empower the youth of Rwanda and around the world to take a stand against Genocide.

"Walk to Remember” event is annually organized where Rwandan youth match in remembrance and honour of victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.

The Minister of Youth and Culture, Rosemary Mbabazi urged the youth to combat divisionism both in Rwanda and abroad.

PLP, which pioneered the walk, is an association founded in 2007, by 38 high school students who were at the time at Lycée de Kigali (LDK).

It has so far over registered 10,000 members in schools across the country according to Naswiru Shema, the Executive Director of the organisation.

Speaking, on Saturday July 16 to a group of over 100 Rwandan youth from 15 countries, Shema said ‘Walk to Remember’ if embraced by all Diaspora could attract many youths in the commemoration event and serve as a weapon to fight against genocide denial abroad.

Some of the youth from Diaspora who are in Rwanda who a study tour , they were meeting with organizers of the Walk to Remember in Kigali on July 16, Dan Nsengiyumva

The young Rwanda Diaspora doing tour dubbed "Rwanda Youth Tour” has so far visited different museums that tell the story of Rwanda’s liberation struggle and genocide memorials.

"The idea of Walk to Remember is to tell where we come from and where we want to go. That is the message we want to give to Rwandan youth abroad,” he said.

Shema who became PLP Executive Director in 2020 said they are working with the government to set up PLP associations abroad where young Rwandans are living and studying.

"Youth especially in schools should use all their efforts and means to fight against genocide ideology and denial,” he said.

The Walk to Remember pioneers also launched KU GICANIRO (at the bonfire), an initiative that aims at to commemorate 1994 genocide against the Tutsi by educating youth it's causes and consequences highlighting youth's role and responsibility in preventing such atrocities now and in the future.

One of youths from Diaspora asks a quetion during the meeting

During 28th commemoration, KU GICANIRO was attended by Jeannette Kagame the First Lady of Rwanda, other government officials, diplomats and young people in Rwanda.

"The youth and the old sit together to discuss issues in the community and find solutions for them,” he said.

Paul Rukesha , the Director General of Communication and Partnership Cooperation in the ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE) told the youth that genocide denial is on the rise and that they should take lead in the fight.

"The genocide denial and distorting facts about 1994 genocide against the Tutsi via YouTube and other social media is on the rise and youth should use different resources to fight against it. They are required to be critical thinkers, use books about genocide and other resources,” he said.

Learning from liberation struggle

Major General Emmanual Bayingana, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence told the Rwandan youth abroad to learn from RPF-Inkotanyi values that stopped 1994 genocide against the Tutsi and liberated the country.

Major General Emmanual Bayingana, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence addresses  a group of Rwandan youths from Diaspora  in Kigali on July 16. Dan Nsengiyumva

"The struggle Rwanda passed through should be a lesson to youth. The youth should not be discouraged by genocide deniers. They need teamwork to build a strong and peaceful country,” he said.

The Minister of Youth and Culture, Rosemary Mbabazi urged the youth to combat divisionism both in Rwanda and abroad.

"The divisionism led to killing more than one million Tutsi. We only need unity and young Diaspora should also learn a lesson so as to make the right decisions. Where there is a will, there is a way,” she said.

Jasmine Kabandana, a young Rwandan living in Belgium said: "we have learnt about Rwanda’s genocide history and transformation journey. This will give us an incentive to keep being involved in the commemoration process, fighting against negationism and teaching others the history of the country.”

Serge Gihozo , another young Diaspora said, " As Rwandan youth abroad we should join our efforts in case  we detect those who are distorting facts about 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.”

Sheha Ruzindana, Rwandan youth living in UK added: "My role would be when I go back I will talk to my friends and share my experience of social media about the truth of 1994 genocide against the Tutsi so they can also join youth tour in Rwanda next year to understand how unity is at front.”

Naswiru Shema, the Executive Director of the organisation addresses a group of Rwandan youths from Diaspora in Kigali on Saturday July 16. Photos by Dan Nsengiyumva