Remembering Genocide victims is our responsibility, residents told

WESTERN PROVINCE RUSIZI — All Rwandans should take it as their duty to commemorate the 1994 Genocide in which close to one million Rwandans died, Senator Faustin Munyakabera has said.

Friday, April 18, 2008

WESTERN PROVINCE

RUSIZI — All Rwandans should take it as their duty to commemorate the 1994 Genocide in which close to one million Rwandans died, Senator Faustin Munyakabera has said.

Addressing Rusizi residents at Cyangugu stadium, in Kamembe sector, Rusizi district, Munyakabera said, "As responsible Rwandans and people with integrity I urge you to know that commemorating the 1994 Genocide that occurred in our country is every body’s responsibility. The Genocide affected each and every Rwandan in all aspects of life.”

Munyakabera who presided over the closing ceremony of the commemoration period that ended last Sunday, urged collective responsibility in stemming the genocide ideology. He urged parents to inculcate love among their children in stead of promoting ethnic divisions.

The law maker advised Genocide survivors to work hard in order to have better living standards. He asked clerics to promote peace, unity and reconciliation among Rwandans.

Speaking at the same occasion, Lieutenant Col. Chris Murari of the Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF) warned residents against torturing, harassing and intimidation of genocide survivors and Gacaca witnesses.

He challenged residents whose relatives and family friends are still hiding in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to encourage them to return to their nation.

"I encourage some of you who have your relatives and family friends who are still hiding in DRC to appeal to them to come back to their motherland because the government needs their support,” Col. Murari said.

Job Rwabukambira, the area leader of Ibuka lauded residents who attended the mourning ceremonies and night vigils and appealed to district authorities and the government to construct more houses for vulnerable genocide survivors.

Ends