WESTERN PROVINCE

RUSIZI — Bodies of 536 Genocide victims that we discovered recently were on Monday given a decent burial in Shara cell, Muganza sector of Rusizi district. The 536 remains were collected from the former sectors of Mashesha and Shara.

The burial took place as part 14th anniversary of the commemoration of the 1994 Rwanda genocide which was held at every district level.

The burial was attended by hundreds of mourners at a new genocide memorial site in Rusizi and was presided over by Senator Faustin Munyakabera.

Munyakabera castigated the former regime of Juvenal Habyarimana which created and promoted divisionism among Rwandans. This divisionism led to the Genocide.

"All the problems that we are now going through including the effects of the Genocide that occurred in our nation in 1994 were mainly caused by poor governance of the former regime of Habyarimana. The regime promoted hatred and divisionism among Rwandans. It is time to stand and fight against such unspeakable things,” Senator Munyakabera urged.

He also asked residents who attended the ceremony from Gitambi, Bugarama, Gikundamvura, Nzahaha and Muganza cells to work together with the government authorities in all means to eliminate the existing Genocide ideology especially in Schools.

Munyakabera said that in order for Rwanda to achieve her vision, people possessing genocide ideology have to change.

Lieutenant Colonel Chris Murari who represented the Rwandese Defense Forces (RDF) during the commemoration also warned those who still harass genocide survivors and witnesses. He requested local leaders to increase their support to Genocide Survivors.

"Its high time for all who love their country to stand up and fight against people who harass and even kill genocide survivors and witnesses and those who still harbor genocide ideology,” Lt. Col. Murari said.

The president of Avega-Agahozo, an umbrella for genocide survivors in Rusizi district, Monique Kankera said that there are more remains of genocide victims that have not been given a decent burial. He called upon the Rusizi district authority and the government in general to organize their burials.

She also thanked the RPF leadership for stopping the genocide and requested government to construct houses for genocide survivors especially those who are vulnerable. Many of them still don’t have any where to stay. 

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