Remember with us, not for pity or guilt – Mushikiwabo

Rwanda yesterday launched commemorative activities in the run-up to the 20th anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, with a call on Rwandans and entire world to join in the remembrance of the victims of the worst pogroms in recent history.The launch of activities in the lead-up to the April 7 main national mourning event was marked by the lighting of a flame of remembrance, dubbed “Kwibuka Flame,” at the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre in Gisozi.For three months, from next Friday, the flame of remembrance will be taken on a lap of honour through the country’s 30 districts before returning to Kigali on April 7,.At the launch of commemorative activities, Rwanda’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Government spokesperson Louise Mushikiwabo, called on the international community to join in reflections on the lives lost in the Genocide and help build a world without genocide.“As we turn our attention to the twentieth commemoration, we invite the world to remember with us. We do so not to inspire pity or guilt, but rather because the lessons of 1994 have resonance far beyond Rwanda’s borders,” she said.In the lead up to April 7, community dialogue will take place in each district of the country and in the Rwandan Diaspora to offer Rwandans and their friends the opportunity to reflect on the events of 1994 and the country’s journey since.‘Solemn remembrance’Officials said peace education workshops and a countrywide arts competition will also accompany the Genocide torch’s tour across the country, increasing awareness about the causes of the Genocide, its consequences, and how Rwandans can continue to move forward.For Minister Mushikiwabo, the commemoration period should be a “time to join in solemn remembrance, to reflect on the past twenty years, and to turn our attention to the challenges that lie ahead” in the prevention against the recurrence of the atrocities.“It is a time to recommit ourselves to the simple but powerful idea: Never Again. Not just for Rwanda, but for the world,” she said. “For Never Again to be a reality, and not just words, ‘Never Forget’ must also be our creed.”In what has been described as one of the worst mass slaughters in history, more than one million Rwandans were killed by a genocidal regime in 1994.The regime, which had led Rwanda with discriminatory policies against Tutsis and other Rwandans who would disagree with the persecution, would later be toppled in 1994 by the Rwanda Patriotic Front led by Paul Kagame, the country’s current President.“Remember, unite, renew” is the theme for the 20th Genocide commemoration, words that are meant to inspire Rwandans to unite and work together to build a new, stronger, and prosperous country going forward.Officials have urged the public, especially the youth, to work together to ensure that the national mourning period in April and three months thereafter instill in them the resolve to work together to develop the country.“Let’s all work together and let the Rwandan spirit always guide us,” the Minister of Sports and Culture, Protais Mitali, said at the lighting of the remembrance flame yesterday.‘Rwandan spirit’The torch is a symbol of the Rwandan spirit of unity and hope which are seen as key to the reconstruction of Rwanda from the scratch since the Genocide.Different testimonies were shared at the lighting of the torch yesterday, including the resilience of Genocide survivors and moving stories of unity among Rwandans despite the promotion of genocide ideology by the killers.One of the survivors who testified at the event, Marcel Mutsindashyaka, said it is important for survivors to know that they have to live a happy and productive life despite the loss of their loved ones.“Our people died a tragic death but we (survivors) are alive. Our life doesn’t need to be miserable. We can still work, we can work to develop our country,” he said.Meanwhile, the National Commission for the Fight against Genocide (CNLG) has set up a web site, www.kwibuka.org, to offer resources for individuals, educators and community organisers involved with the 20th commemoration activities.In the run-up to April 7 and throughout the 100 days of remembrance, the web site will provide information about the history of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi to bring renewed clarity about its causes, realities and consequences.Documentation about Rwanda’s 20-year journey of socio-economic transformation and explanations of post-Genocide issues of justice and reconciliation will also be available on the web site. CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES