{The Minister of Youth and ICT, Jean Philbert Nsengimana has apologized for having a father who was a politician in the government that prepared and executed genocide saying it is embarrassing for his father’s failure of doing anything to stop the 1994 genocide against Tutsi. }
He made the apology yesterday as he addressed 800 local and Diaspora youth that attended the civic education ‘Urunana’ in Gabiro from 7th to 14th December 2016.
“My father was a politician in the government that prepared and executed genocide. I apologize for it. Not having had courage to stand and tell them to stop what they were doing regardless of whether I would risk losing life. It embarrasses me,” he said.
“When I think how I felt comfortable while there were other children fleeing to rescue their lives yet I didn’t intervene, I feel regret from which I gain strength to build the nation different from the one in which we grew up,” he added.
Nsengimana told the youth that he was warmly welcomed returning from refugee in DRC forests, taken through reintegration center, allowed chance to access school and developing himself.
He said that he was not worth such opportunities if it was based on deeds of his father.
“My father was a leader at the time of genocide. I was born when he was the mayor of district until when I was 18 years. I never got revenge for my dad’s deeds.The kind acts to me became the first to embarrass me,” he said.
Minister Nsengimana said that all Rwandans have equal rights and opportunities.
“My father was mayor during the genocide. Being a minister at this time proves equal opportunities among Rwandans,” he said.
Minister Philbert further requested the youth to unite and work together to build a new country where people share equal rights.
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