USA - US President, Barack Obama, on Wednesday said that his country is committed to its partnership with Rwanda and will continue supporting the country to achieve its development ambitions.

In his message on the 16th Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Obama said that the United States stands with the people of Rwanda during this painful time of commemorating the genocide.

"On the 16th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda, we devote our thoughts to those who were lost and those who survived,” Obama said in a statement.
He further paid tribute to the victims and those who continue to live with the pain and trauma of their memories and loss.

"We must renew our commitment and redouble our efforts to prevent mass atrocities and Genocide. We are inspired by the Spirit of the Rwandan people to move forward and we stand with the people of Rwanda and the international community in commemorating the Genocide,” he said.

"The United States is committed to its partnership with Rwanda and will continue to support efforts to promote sustainable development,” Obama said.

On behalf of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Johnnie Carson, and the American people, Susan D. Page, Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs also expressed "deepest sympathies to all Rwandans who lost loved ones, friends, neighbours, and colleagues in the Genocide,”

"Rwanda bears the grave burden of this tragedy, but the international community has not forgotten and we will never forget.

"We live with the knowledge that we could have done more than we did. But, like you, we know that we must apply lessons learned from the past while looking to the future,” the American official said.

Page observed that Rwandans are a people of remarkable determination and fortitude as shown in the heroic work towards rebuilding their lives and country.

"Survivors have pushed on creating a new Rwanda, while living with mental and physical scars. Many refugees and former combatants have returned home and are living and working together throughout the country. Rwanda’s economy is growing steadily, attracting new investment and tourism.

"And to strengthen regional peace and security, we note that the Government of Rwanda has taken steps to rebuild its relationships with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other states of the Great Lakes region,”

The officials also commended Rwanda’s contribution to the peacekeeping efforts in Darfur, noting that is a powerful testament of a commitment to ensure that others will not be left to experience the pain and devastation that wreaked havoc upon Rwanda’s people 16 years ago.

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