Rwandans in Diaspora commemorate Genocide

Rwandans globally are, today, joining hands to remember their loved ones killed in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi as the country commemorates the 18th anniversary. This year’s commemoration is held under the theme: “Learning from our past history...a better future.” In a telephone interview, Protais Mitali, the Minister of Sports and Culture, said the commemoration will be held in all 26 Rwandan embassies worldwide. “They are supposed to commemorate where we (Rwanda) are represented...where our embassies are established and we encourage them to hold commemoration activities during the commemoration week and even after [April] 13th,” Mitali said.The commemoration programmes, he said, will be developed by the embassies in collaboration with the Rwandan Diaspora. UgandaIn Uganda, the event will be at Goolo Memorial Site in Mpigi District, where remains of about 6, 000 victims are buried.There are over 20, 000 remains buried in Uganda in three memorial sites; the other two being Lamu in Masaka District and Kasensero Memorial Site in Rakai District.The victims were killed and thrown into different tributaries of Lake Victoria.Maj. Gen Frank Mugambage, Rwanda’s Ambassador to Uganda, said that a special commemoration is scheduled on April 10, when a requiem mass will be held at Christ the Kings Church in Kampala.“We are making this year’s major commemoration event, a prayer service to be held at Christ the King Church on Tuesday. We will be joined by diplomats, government institutions and friends of Rwanda, for a special prayer service,” said Mugambage, in a telephone interviewAt the High Commission, Mugambage added, there will be an exhibition “and people will be coming to watch genocide related movies.” “On April 13, we will hold a vigil at Kampala International University. We have invited the youth and friends of Rwanda. On [April] 14th, we will have a ‘Walk to Remember.’ We have invited various people to join us in this procession. The walk will start from KIU to Kabalagala and end at KIU,” he explained.Tanzania In Tanzania, the event will be held in Mlimani City Hall in the capital, Dar es Salaam.The Rwandan High Commission’s First Counsellor, Sano Lambert, told reporters in Tanzania that the commemoration is aimed at enlightening the world on what happened in Rwanda and what should be done to avoid other crimes against humanity.Sano said the commemoration would involve testimonies from students who were survivors of the 1994 Genocide.Tanzania’s Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mahadhi Juma Maalim, will grace the event, which will also be attended by officials from the Arusha-based International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR). There will also be presentations on progress attained after the genocide which claimed over one million people in just 100 days.“We shall have several testimonies during the day...from Rwandan students who are pursuing their studies in Dar es Salaam as well as professors who have researched the genocide in detail,” Sano said.On April 14, Professor Chris Peter Maina, is scheduled to lead a public lecture on Rwanda genocide at the university.The Dar es Salaam office also covers Malawi, Madagascar, Zambia and Seychelles.The High Commission’s first secretary, Ernest Bugingo, also said the day would be very special for journalists since they will come to know their role in society in the fight against violence. Bugingo encouraged journalists to report on positive issues in their countries. USAThe commemoration in the US is scheduled to be held at Gaston Hall Georgetown University in Washington.The event, organised by the Rwandan embassy in the US and the Diaspora in North America, will also be attended by friends of Rwanda such as Dr. Tim Gallimore, who will give a lecture on the role of the media and literature before, during, and after the genocide. A Rwandan, Dr. Chrysologue Gakuba, is also scheduled to give a lecture on “The history of the Genocide since 1959.”Carl Wilkens, an American who was in Rwanda during the Genocide, will also speak.Carl headed the Adventist Development and Relief Agency International (ADRA) in Rwanda at the time. He was the only American who chose to stay in Rwanda during the Genocide, delivering aid to children. Together with other Rwandans, he is said to have provided safe haven for Tutsi.A “Walk to Remember” is also scheduled for tomorrow, starting and ending at the National Mall, Washington DC.Darfur Rwandan troops serving under the AU/UN Peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID), west Sudan will once again join the world in commemorating the 1994 Genocide.The UNAMID Force Commander, Lt. Gen. Patrick Nyamvumba, said RDF personnel, police officers and civilians in all parts of Darfur will hold commemoration events today.The biggest event will be held in provincial capital, El Fasher, at the headquarters of UNAMID, in the compound of Rwanbatt 29, where the commemoration event will include laying of wreaths around the Rwandan, AU and UN flags.Top Sudanese regional officials including Osman Yousif Kibir, the Governor (Wali) of North Darfur State and other senior UNAMID officials will attend.In a message to the world community and friends of Rwanda, Lt. Gen. Nyamvumba said: “What happened in Rwanda in 1994 should never happen again. The UN peacekeepers, if committed and well led, can make a difference between life and death. Rwandan troops have learnt their lessons and are committed to protect the people of Darfur.”There will be testimonies, an exhibition of photos, video clips of the Genocide, and a night vigil.Rwanda has over 3,200 peacekeepers in Darfur.South AfricaIn South Africa, the Rwandan High Commission has organised two events.The first one – exclusively for the Rwandan community, will be held this evening. Another event involving South African officials, the diplomatic corps and friends of Rwanda, is planned for Wednesday, because of the Easter public holiday, which started yesterday. UKIn the UK, the Rwandan community and friends of Rwanda in West midlands, in collaboration with the High Commission, have organised commemoration events to be held in Coventry. Guests will include Ambassadors and High Commissioners based in London, UK Government officials, and human rights organisations.Rwandan High Commissioner, Ernest Rwamucyo, is expected to call upon the international community to play a leading role in the fight against Genocide revisionists.