He conveyed the message on Wednesday 13th April 2022 as he presided over the ceremony to the end commemoration week which coincided with the remembrance of fallen politicians killed for opposing plans of the former regime of Juvenal Habyarimana to execute Tutsis.
The ceremony took place at Rebero Genocide Memorial where remains of more than 14,000 victims including Tutsis killed in Kigali at the onset of the Genocide and politicians who denounced destructive plans of the genocidaire government are laid to rest.
Dr. Iyamuremye said that the commemoration of slain politicians over standing against Genocide ideology and opposing the plan to execute Tutsis is essential particularly during this era when much effort are need to resist people taking advantage of freedom of expression to deny and trivialize Genocide.
“It is very important during this time when there are people using social media to spread rumours tarnishing Rwanda’s leadership and fuel Genocide ideology for the so-called political reasons. I consider the denial and trivialization Genocide against the Tutsi as thrusting a knife in wounds of survivors,” he said.
Dr. Iyamuremye further stated that it is essential to commemorate the Genocide that was perpetrated over bad leaders characterized by discrimination.
“Remembering these good politicians should be an opportunity for us to reflect on our tragic history, how it led to Genocide against Tutsi, how it was executed and know why the international community failed Rwandans,” he noted.
“From this, should emerge the legacy of courage to confront challenges and issues that might tamper with security and national development, starting with denial and trivialization of Genocide against Tutsi,” added Dr. Iyamuremye.
The Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE), Dr. Jean Damascène Bizimana pointed out evidences indicating that the preparation of Genocide against the Tutsi was a result of bad politics with the involvement of political parties.
He pointed out the example of the then ruling party, MRND which established three more affiliated political parties but claimed to be serving different purposes.
These political parties including PARERWA, PECO and PADER were meant to resist Arusha Peace Accords.
The latter were involved in the mobilization of citizens to denounce Arusha Peace Accords.
Dr. Bizimana requested Rwandans to lean on good politics which is a fundamental pillar for Rwanda’s transformational journey.
Umuhire Adrie, the spokesperson of Political Parties Forum blamed politicians who fuelled ethnic divisions and hatred which culminated into preparation and execution of Genocide against Tutsi and called on everyone to strive for national unity and development.
He particularly urged politicians to consolidate gains in promoting unity among Rwandans and promote good governance treating all Rwandans equally.
Rebero Genocide Memorial accommodates over 14,000 victims from different parts of Kigali including Nyamirambo, Gitega, CHUK and Cyahafi among others.
It also home to remains of 12 politicians namely; Joseph Kavaruganda, Landouard Ndasingwa, Kabageni Venantie, Charles Kayiranga, Jean de la Croix Rutaremara, Augustin Rwayitare, Aloys Niyoyita, André Kameya, Frederic Nzamurambaho, Felicien Ngango, Faustin Rucogoza and Jean Baptiste Mushimiyimana.
After the national mourning week, Genocide commemoration activities will continue until 4th July to mark the 100 days during which more than one million Tutsis were killed.
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