GICUMBI – The Northern Province Executive Secretary, Deo Kabagambe, has said past regimes carried out systematic killings of the Tutsi because of bad governance. 

While officiating at the closure of Gicumbi district genocide commemoration week in Byumba Sector, yesterday, Kabagambe said, "The past regimes failed to meet Rwandan’s socio-economic needs and resorted to diverting peoples’ attention by preaching empty politics of ethnic cleansing.”

He noted that systematic killings of the Tutsi started in 1959 and reached its climax in 1994 and urged residents to give a deaf ear to ‘bankrupt politicians’ still bent on drawing Rwandans backwards.

"The government of National Unity has done a lot to heal wounds left behind by killer regimes through unity and reconciliation, punishing genocide perpetrators and improving the economy,” he added. 

The mourners paid respect to remains of genocide victims buried at Nyarutarama cell, before later marching a  4 km distance to Gisuna cell to honor victims who were killed in the Byumba military barracks. 

According to the Byumba Sector officer in-charge of IBUKA, Laurien Rugira, remains of a big number of victims have not been found to date.

"Those who perished at Byumba military barracks were accused of collaborating with the advancing Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA) their remains have not been found to date,” said Rugira. 

Mayor Bonane Nyangezi, called on residents to continue consoling survivors. "Genocide was committed by Rwandans against their own brothers and sisters, which is why you should console survivors at all times to reduce trauma cases,” said Nyangezi. 

Also present was Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF) 408 Brigade Brig. General Eric Murokore, Gicumbi and Rulindo districts prosecutor Vincent Niyonzima and religious leaders.

Ends