Dr. Murigande Says International community Abandoned Rwandans During Genocide

{{On Monday, April 8, Rwandans living in Tokyo Japan marked the 19th commemoration of Genocide against the Tutsi. }}

The event was attended by several Rwandans and representatives of foreign missions in Japan and friends of Rwanda.

In his remarks, Dr. Charles MURIGANDE, the Ambassador of Rwanda to Japan emphasized that the self-reliance philosophy was and is still one of the cardinal values that were embedded in our liberation struggle, but our resolve to count on ourselves in confronting our challenges was more reinforced by injustices and double standards by the international community.

He noted that Rwandans were abandoned by the international community during the genocide. the international community fed and protected genocidal forces, while they were busy retraining, re-arming and launching cross border attacks to annihilate the survivors of genocide.

The ambassador said the International community still drags their feet in bringing genocide perpetrators to justice, and under pretense of political freedoms, allows these perpetrators to freely engage in genocide denial and revisionist campaign.

He noted that recently some development partners suspended their development aid to Rwanda on the basis of flimsy allegations by the so-called UN Group of Experts on DRC, despite the fact that Rwanda is highly praised for efficient and accountable use of development assistance.

Emphasized that Rwandans refused to be consumed by sorrow, despair and hopelessness, but chose to be assertive of our right to have a better life we desire and deserve.

{Rwandas envoy to Japan Dr. Charles Murigande addressing Rwandans, friends of Rwanda and representatives of international community in Tokyo Japan.}