Twenty years on, let’s keep the memory alive

Today, Rwanda launches preparatory activities for the 20th anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, with several events planned across the country, including a lap of honour involving the ‘Kwibuka Flame’ in the run up to the April 7 commemoration event. Thousands will gather at ceremony at Kigali Genocide memorial in Gisozi, where the flame of remembrance will be lit at the memorial.Similar events are planned in Rwandan embassies and among Rwandan communities in the Diaspora.It is two decades since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, which claimed the lives of more than a million people and left the country in ruins.The first decade focused on rebuilding and laying a new foundation for the nation, including restoring the rule of law which saw the promulgation of the new Constitution in 2003. The second decade has been about building on that foundation to firmly set the people and country on the road to prosperity.Indeed throughout the last two decades, the Genocide against the Tutsi, described as the worst pogrom in recent history, has stuck in the public memory, being officially commemorated for a week each year, beginning the 7th of every April.As we commemorate as a nation, it’s important to collectively remind ourselves of our past but also look into the future with greater resolve and sense of purpose.We also need to reaffirm never to forget and summon values of unity which define us as Rwandans. Memory makes us able to learn from history and also serves as a bridge into a bright future.We cannot change our past, but the present and the future we can.There are tremendous achievements that we have since achieved together as a people in all spheres of life but we need to recommit to our ‘Rwandanness’ and unity to achieve even greater things over the next two decades.

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Twenty years on, let’s keep the memory alive