The visit aimed to deepen their understanding of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, reflect on the importance of learning from history, and honor genocide victims.
The team was joined by Tito Rutaremara, Chairperson of the Rwanda Elders Advisory Forum who gave an insightful talk on the causes of genocide, the ideology behind it, and the calculated planning that led to one of Africa’s darkest chapters.
Rutaremara, who has played an instrumental role in Rwanda’s recovery and served as a long-standing senator and Chief Ombudsman, stressed the importance of learning from Rwanda’s tragic history.
“We all have the responsibility to understand our history, as it is through learning from the past that we can create a future of peace and unity,” Rutaremara emphasized.
He highlighted the need for both Rwanda and the broader African continent to recognize the painful past and use it as a foundation for reconciliation and long-term peace.
Rutaremara’s call resonated deeply with the employees as he reminded them that the responsibility to ensure such atrocities are never repeated rests with all of us.
The team also heard a moving firsthand testimony from Maurice Gasasira, who recounted his ordeal, from facing persecution during his school years to the devastating moment, where he witnessed the murder of his parents during the Genocide.
His story offered a personal lens into how the atrocities unfolded, leaving the team with an understanding of the tragedy and the enduring lessons it holds for humanity.
Gasasira highlighted the deep emotional scars left by the genocide. “It was a moment of unimaginable loss,” he said, reflecting on the trauma he endured.
His testimony served as a poignant reminder to the Smart Africa team that the impact of the genocide is still felt today, and the lessons of pain, courage, and healing must not be forgotten.
The Genocide against the Tutsi claimed lives of over one million victims in just 100 days, a tragedy that was halted by the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA).
The employees, having visited the memorial’s various exhibitions, also laid wreaths at mass graves where over 250,000 victims are buried.
Mr. Lacina Koné, the Director-General and CEO of Smart Africa, offered a heartfelt message of solidarity and called for collective efforts to prevent recurrence.
“The Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda is a crime against humanity and we should never, ever allow this to happen anywhere around the world. If you look at what happened, it’s completely inhumane and beyond imagination. We should all fight it with all our strength,” he said underscoring the universal responsibility to prevent such tragedies.
The visit to the memorial served as a powerful reminder for Smart Africa’s employees of the importance of understanding history and the shared responsibility in Africa and beyond to promote peace, unity, and reconciliation.
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