The Rwandan Community living in Kenya on Wednesday, April 12, marked the 29^th Commemoration of the 1994 against the Tutsi. The commemoration brought together more than 500 people including Rwandans living in Kenya, members of the diplomatic corps and friends of Rwanda among others.

It was an occasion to reflect on the causes and consequences of the genocide, and recommit to preventing future atrocities by fighting hate and divisionism.

“Memory defines us and help us to focus on our goal of national unity and reconciliation, and peaceful coexistence,” said Dr. Richard Masozera, High Commissioner of Rwanda to Kenya.

Masozera reminded that the Genocide against the Tutsi was no accident, but rather deliberately planned for years and later executed, with the sole aim to exterminate Tutsis.

He, also made a call to collectively fight genocide denial, which unfortunately continues to be espoused in certain quotas.

“Genocide denial denounces victims and rehabilitates perpetrators. It is, therefore, imperative that we stand together and unite in our resolve to fight this vice, for the sake of the generations to come,” he stressed.

Failure of the international community

While delivering the statement of the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, UN Resident Coordinator in Kenya, Stephen Jackson, admitted that the international community had failed to prevent the Genocide against the Tutsi.

“On this International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda, we mourn the more than one million children, women, and men who perished in one hundred days of horror 29 years ago. And we remember – with shame – the failure of the international community,” he said.

He, therefore, recalled that preventing genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and other serious violations of international law is a shared responsibility, and a core duty of every member of the United Nations.

Remarkable progress

Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Kenya, Amb. Susan Mwangi, Director of the UN and Multilateral Affairs at Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, expressed solidarity with Rwandans during the period of commemoration and hailed the country’s significant progress over the last 29 years.

She said: “We applaud the determination of the people of Rwanda for the progress made towards reconciliation and healing, as well as their achievement in economic growth that has made Rwanda a beacon of peace in Africa and one of the safest countries to live in.”

“Our gratitude remains with all who tried to prevent the genocide, as they motivate us to keep fighting for a better future,” she added.

A moment of silence was taken in remembrance of a million people killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.