Tolerance key to avoiding bloodshed - US Envoy

Ambassador R. Barrie Walkley, the United States Special Advisor for the Great Lakes and the DR Congo, has said people should learn how to be tolerant to each other to avoid bloodshed.

Sunday, January 29, 2012
Ambassador R. Barrie Walkley, the US Special Advisor for the Great Lakes and the DR Congo lays a wreath at Kigali Genocide memorial center Gisozi. The New Times / T. Kisambira

Ambassador R. Barrie Walkley, the United States Special Advisor for the Great Lakes and the DR Congo, has said people should learn how to be tolerant to each other to avoid bloodshed.

He said this yesterday after visiting Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre to pay tribute to the over 250,000 victims laid to rest at the site.

"It’s remarkably an emotional experience walking through the memorial centre. This was the worst tragedy to have ever happened to human kind,” he asserted.

"This brings tears to everyone who visits this centre and reminds the world that this shouldn’t happen again, not in Rwanda, not in any part of the world”.

Walkley stated that people should be aware of the dangers of hatred, tribalism and divisionism in society, calling for tolerance to each other.

He said that, his trip to Rwanda was his first after being named by Hilary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, as a Special Advisor for the Great Lakes and the DR Congo one month ago.

The envoy who arrived in the country on Friday evening, will meet with Rwandan government officials to discuss issues related to the situation in the Great Lakes Region, including Rwanda, Burundi, and the DR Congo.

frank.kanyesigye@newtimes.co.rw