At least 90 Rwandans and friends living in Botswana, at the weekend, met at the University of Botswana in Gaborone to commemorate the 19th anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

The event, which was presided over by Rwanda’s Commissioner to Botswana Vincent Karega, also attracted envoys representing their countries in Gaborone.

Karega, who resides in Pretoria, South Africa, told the audience the importance of the commemoration as the country and its nationals strive for self-reliance, according to a statement from the High Commission.

"Rwandans understand well where they come from and where they want to be. Tremendous progress has been made and we have the determination to overcome the challenges ahead,” he is quoted in the statement as having said.

Perspectives

Other speakers gave historical perspectives of the 1994 Genocide in which more than a million Rwandans were killed, the international and domestic legal framework in place to judge those who committed the genocide, and the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation.

The Chairperson of Rwandan Diaspora in Botswana, Sheikh Hassan Hategekimana, said it is the responsibility of all Rwandans to remember as they say "Never Again”.

Rwandans within and outside the country continue to commemorate the Genocide against the Tutsi, which claimed over a million lives, in just 100 days.

The commemoration activities, that started on April 7, will end on July 4, the day Rwanda marks Liberation Day.