Governments of Germany and Belgium, through their respective ministries of foreign affairs (MFAs), have sent messages of solidarity to Rwandans during this year’s edition of the commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi.

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Via its Twitter handle, the German MFA said:

"Today, we are joining the Rwandan people in commemorating the Genocide against the Tutsi which began 29 years ago. We mourn the victims and firmly declare that such a horrendous crime must never be allowed to happen again.”

The Belgian MFA, also via Twitter, noted it pays "tribute to all the victims of this tragedy and to those who had the courage to oppose it.”

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Meanwhile, messages of hope and solidarity are continuing to come in from a number of individuals, dignitaries and institutions towards the people of Rwanda as the commemoration period starts.

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Every year, on April 7, Rwandans and friends of Rwanda across the world, join hands to begin a 100-days commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in which over a million lives perished.

The commemoration is aimed at paying tribute to the victims, standing with the survivors, as well as recognising the resilience of Rwandans.