She made the call on April 10, 2026, during a solemn ceremony marking the 32nd commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, held in Budapest.
The event, organized by the Embassy of Rwanda in Hungary, brought together diplomats, Hungarian officials, members of the Rwandan community, survivors, and friends of Rwanda in a moment of remembrance and reflection.
In her address, Amb. Nyagahura stressed that genocide denial and distortion require urgent and coordinated global responses, including stronger education systems, justice mechanisms, and legal frameworks to safeguard historical truth.
“Genocide is never spontaneous. It is prepared, taught, and enabled by silence,” she said, warning that denial represents a continuation of that silence and a threat to remembrance itself.
She further emphasized that remembrance must go beyond symbolism and be treated as a shared global responsibility to confront hatred, protect human dignity, and prevent future atrocities.
The ceremony paid tribute to more than one million victims of the genocide, while also honoring survivors and those who risked their lives to save others.
April 7, recognized by the United Nations as the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, marks the beginning of the annual commemoration period.
The term Kwibuka, meaning “to remember,” also reflects renewal, learning, and a commitment to preventing future atrocities.
Amb. Nyagahura recalled that the genocide was not a spontaneous event, but the result of decades of division, discrimination, and dehumanization rooted in colonial history and reinforced in the post-independence period.
She cited earlier waves of violence in 1959, 1963, and 1973, and the mass exile of Tutsi as warning signs that were not acted upon by the international community.
She highlighted Rwanda’s recovery journey under the leadership of President Paul Kagame, noting that the country chose a path of unity and reconciliation grounded in justice, social cohesion, and a shared national identity expressed through Ndi Umunyarwanda.
Today, she said, Rwanda stands as a symbol of resilience, with a new generation growing up in a country defined by unity and hope.
However, she warned that genocide ideology remains a persistent threat, particularly in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where armed groups such as the FDLR continue to operate. She called on the international community, including Hungary, to support efforts aimed at dismantling such groups and strengthening regional peace and security.
The ceremony also featured remarks from Hungarian officials, including Attila Koppány, as well as testimonies from genocide survivors Freddy Mutanguha and Judence Kayitesi, who shared personal accounts underscoring the human dimension of the tragedy and the importance of preserving memory.
Amb. Nyagahura also urged renewed international commitment to truth, justice, and human dignity, stressing that the promise of “Never Again” must be actively upheld.
“Rwanda remains steadfast in its commitment to peace, unity, and reconciliation. We invite all nations and people of goodwill to join us in this mission,” she said.
During the event, Freddy Mutanguha, Chief Executive Officer of the Aegis Trust and a genocide survivor, delivered a powerful and deeply personal message calling for sustained vigilance against genocide ideology and denial.
Sharing his personal story, Mutanguha revealed that while he survived alongside his sister, his parents and four sisters were brutally murdered.
Despite the failure of the international community at the time, he paid tribute to the bravery of RPA soldiers who stopped the genocide, rescuing civilians and dismantling the genocidal regime.
In the aftermath, through strong leadership and homegrown solutions, the country embarked on a path of recovery and reconciliation.
Measures such as the abolition of ethnic identity cards, the establishment of community-based Gacaca courts, and the creation of memorials like the Kigali Genocide Memorial have played a crucial role in justice, healing, and education.
Today, Rwanda stands as a testament to resilience and transformation. With a National Unity Barometer exceeding 95%, the country has made remarkable progress in rebuilding trust and social cohesion.
karirima@igihe.com
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