Nine late politicians’ names, deeds to be added to Rebero Memorial

The Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE), Jean Damascene Bizimana, disclosed plans to honor nine politicians who were killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The politicians, who opposed the genocidal regime, will have their names and deeds added to the dedicated Genocide Memorial at Rebero. He disclosed the development on Friday, March 22, during the meeting of political parties which discussed their role in the unity of Rwandans 30 years after the Genocide. Bizimana highlighted the significance of this addition, emphasizing the importance of commemorating not only the atrocities committed by some politicians but also the heroic actions of those who fought against them. ALSO READ: Genocide: Slain politicians honoured Among the politicians to be honored are figures like Boniface Ngurinzira, the former Foreign Affairs Minister, who advocated for Rwandan unity during the Arusha peace talks, and Godefroid Ruzindana, the former Kibungo prefect, who stood against the genocidal politics at the cost of his life and his family's. Other individuals include Jean Groubert Rumiya, who left his party in opposition to the encouragement of violence against the Tutsi, and Vincent Rwabukwisi, a journalist and politician who used his platform to promote peace and reconciliation. In addition, there were three bourgmestres: Calixte Ndagijimana for Mugina, Narcisse Nyagasaza for Ntyazo, and Jean Marie Vianne Gisagara for Nyabisindu commune. They bravely fought against the genocide in their respective areas and saved Tutsi lives. However, they were killed in horrific ways for their courageous acts of resistance. Despite being a Tutsi himself, Jean Baptiste Habyarimana, the prefect of Butare, dedicated his political efforts to preventing violence during the genocide. He persuaded people in his area to refrain from participating in the killings. “The decision to add these names comes after thorough research conducted since 2022, aiming to ensure that the contributions of those who fought against genocide ideology are recognized and remembered,” Bizimana explained. He added, “This initiative aligns with the ongoing efforts to document the roles of politicians across the country who stood against the genocide and fought for democracy.” The Minister discussed the importance of politicians in Rwanda's history, pointing out the role that bad politics played to divide Rwandans and destroy the unity of its people, as well as the contribution of good politics towards restoring trust among Rwandans and rebuilding of the nation. ALSO READ: Two Genocide memorial sites upgraded to national level The annual meeting of political parties serves as a platform for reflection on their role in rebuilding and unifying the country. Abbas Mukama, the spokesperson for political parties, stressed the importance of understanding Rwanda's history and the role of politics in shaping its future. “This annual gathering aims to remind Rwandans, particularly the youth, of their responsibility in safeguarding the country's achievements and contributing to its continued development,” he added. Sylvie Tuyizere, from the Youth Political Leadership Academy, emphasized the role of youth in preserving peace and unity by understanding the country's history and actively opposing genocide ideology among other activities.

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Nine late politicians’ names, deeds to be added to Rebero Memorial