Eighteen years ago, this week, Rwanda suffered one of the most catastrophic events the world has ever known – the Genocide against the Tutsi. One million people were killed in just 100 days as the rest of the world looked on, largely with indifference, an attitude that contradicted the ‘Never Again’ promise. The Rwanda Patriotic Army eventually defeated the genocidal regime and embarked on the challenging task of reconciliation, reconstruction, transformation and development. Today, the Rwandan people have every reason to believe the future is as bright as it can get. Rwandans have drawn lessons from their history, not only for their own benefit but also for the world community. In recent years, Kigali has consistently stood firm with the victims of repressive and murderous regimes unequivocally speaking out against those that mete out violence against their own people. This is what is going on in Syria. Rwanda has openly expressed solidarity with the Syrian people and called for an immediate end to state-sponsored violence. With more than 9000 people dead, it is important that the international community take every necessary action to ensure that President Bashar al-Assad’s stops the attacks on his people. The world cannot afford to standby as more innocent people are killed by the day.
