The Rwandan community in Sudan’s war-torn Darfur region, on Thursday joined fellow Rwandans in marking the 17th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Most of them are members of the Rwanda Defence Forces, under the UN peacekeeping mission in Darfur, popularly known as (UNAMID).

The event, also attended by peacekeepers from other countries, was led by the Force Commander, Lt. Gen. Patrick Nyamvumba at the Command Centre of Rwanbatt25 in El Fasher.

Guests included UNAMID’s Deputy Joint Special Representative, Mohamed Yonis and other senior officials of the mission.

"The presence of four Rwandan battalions in Darfur as part of the AU-UN peacekeeping mission, with all the sacrifices it entails, is an eloquent testimony to the resilience of the Rwandan people,” Yonis said in his speech.

On his part, Nyamvumba noted: "After the terrible and devastating experience of the Genocide, Rwanda has returned to the fold of the international community as a valued player”.

"At home, Rwandans are actively engaged in political accommodation, reconstruction and development and indeed, the Rwandan people have risen from the ashes of the Genocide with renewed determination that it will never happen again,” he observed.

The event was also marked by laying of wreaths and observation of a night vigil.

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