The Rwandan community in Malawi on Friday, May 24, held a commemorative event marking 30 years after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and highlighted the need for continued efforts to combat genocide denial. Attended by Malawian government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, local civil society actors, and friends of Rwanda in the Southern African country, the Kwibuka 30 event was held in the Malawian capital, Lilongwe. The mourners paid their respect to more than one million lives lost during the Genocide and highlighted the progress made since the tragedy and stressed the need to combat genocide denial. ALSO READ: Six US states commemorate 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi In his remarks, the Charge d’Affaires in the Rwanda High Commission in Zambia, Douglas Gakumba, who is also accredited to Malawi, said Kwibuka 30 was a special occasion to reflect on Rwanda’s journey of reconstruction and unity. “Though we commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Genocide against the Tutsi,” said Gakumba, “we also celebrate 30 years of unity and resilience and a whole new generation of Rwandans aspiring for a future free of hatred and built on the principles of a shared identity and committed to fight and prevent the resurgence of any forms of hatred and divisive politics.” ALSO READ: Study shows strong post-genocide resilience among Rwandans Gakumba noted that genocide ideology may spread through various ways such as revisionism and double genocide theory. “Genocide ideology can be very open but also very subtle. It starts, for example, with classification and ends with denial, such as revisionism or revisionist narratives, dehumanization, and double genocide,” he said. “We have the responsibility to continue to educate people to recognize the unfortunate existence of Genocide denial and move the conversation back to the facts in an effort to prevent humanity from having to ever experience another genocide.” ALSO READ: Rwandans in Zimbabwe commemorate Genocide with call to bring to book fugitives Malawi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nancy Tembo, expressed her country’s solidarity with the people of Rwanda, especially during the commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, saying the 30-year journey of unity and reconstruction was “inspirational.” “From a country that was ravaged by the Genocide against the Tutsi, we now see a country on the rise, evidenced by impressive social and economic development,” Tembo said. “Rwanda is a shining example of people’s immeasurable power, not only to overcome adversity, but also to reconcile, and live as one people. We are inspired by the transformation that is happening in Rwanda.”
