Yesterday, on April 7, 2024, Rwandan Peacekeepers in part of MINUSCA in the Central African Republic and South Sudan under UNMISS observed “KWIBUKA 30,” commemorating the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
In South Sudan, the commemoration was held at the UN Thongping Base Camp in Juba and was attended by South Sudan Vice President, HE Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior, the High Commissioner of Rwanda to Uganda and the Republic of South Sudan, HE Col (Rtd) Joseph Rutabana accompanied by Col Emmanuel Ruzindana, the Defence Attaché.
Other distinguished guests were the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, Mr Guang Cong, Monsignor Paul Strejak, Apostolic Nunciature in South, UNMISS leadership and staff, as well as UN Agencies officials.
In her remarks, Vice President HE Rebecca Nyandeng expressed that the Genocide against the Tutsi was a failure for all humanity as it happened while the world was watching and did not act to stop it.
She commended Rwanda for remarkable progress, resilience, and reconciliation after the Genocide, specifically for empowering the youth and women in rebuilding the country and being agents of peace and reconciliation.
She said that South Sudan stands with Rwanda in fighting genocide ideology and called for other African leaders to take a firm stand against the rising hate speech, intolerance, conflicts, and violence.
In the Central African Republic, events were held in Bangui, Bria, and Bossembélé Base Camps, involving both peacekeepers and the Rwandan community.
In Bria, Haute-Kotto Province, community leaders, MINUSCA officials, NGOs, and peacekeepers gathered. Col Dr. Theogène Rurangwa, Rwandan contingent commander, discussed the historical roots of genocide and urged global action against genocide ideology.
The Governor of Haute-Kotto province, Evalist Thier, expressed gratitude to the government of Rwanda for its political efforts in reuniting Rwandans through reconciliation, and for achieving remarkable peace and stability in the country despite the challenges posed by the genocide.
This marks the beginning of the National Commemoration Week and the 100 days of commemoration activities under the theme “Remember, unite, renew.”
South Sudan Vice President, Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior, joined the Rwandan Peacekeepers to commemorate the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi