The Rwandan community in Antananarivo, Madagascar, this week held the 20th commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi at the UN headquarters in Andraharo. Organised by the Rwandan community in partnership with the UN system, the event was also attended by Madagascar government representatives, members of the diplomatic corps, staff of the UN agencies, the Malagasy (local community) and friends from the East African Community countries. After the Walk to Remember event that took place in Zone Galaxy, the commemoration continued in the UN Main Hall, Enceinte Galaxy Plaza, with the opening prayer led by Rev. Fr. Giuseppe, the Secretary of the Apostolic Nuntio in Madagascar. In their opening remarks both Jacqueline Uwamwiza, the vice-chairperson of the Rwandan Diaspora community in Madagascar, and Willem van Milink, the representative of the UN resident coordinator, reiterated the importance of commemorating the Genocide to both Rwandans and the international community. Uwamwiza also highlighted the burden of the Genocide on the survivors and the country. Through a documentary on the Genocide entitled: “7 jours a Kigali”, the audience followed testimonies of some survivors and witnesses to the Genocide. This was followed by a live testimony by Lalanirina Andriamiarisoa, a Malagasy who lived and worked in Rwanda for five years till 2013, on Rwanda’s recovery after the dark times of the Genocide. In a special way, the Rwandan community in Madagascar worked with the “club diplomatique” of the Madagascar Ministry of Foreign Affairs to organise the commemoration events and they (club diplomatique), with support from the Rwandan community in Madagascar, plan to continue commemoration activities through July 3, 2014.
