{{Rwandans living in Tanzania gathered in Arusha city for the 20th Commemoration of Genocide against ethnic Tutsi.
The commemoration events also included walk to remember .
Former Presdient of Tanzania Benjamin Mkapa, East African Secretary General Dr. Richard Sezibera and Rwanda’s High commissioner to Tanzania including representatives of Non governmental organisations were also present.}}
{{The embassy of Rwanda in Japan organized on April 7th at the United Nations University in Tokyo, Japan the 20th Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.}}
The Government of Japan was represented by Hon. Hirotaka ISHIHARA, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Representing the Government of Japan.
Other Japanese Senior officials included Hon. Toshiaki ENDO, Congressman and he is also, Chairman of the Japan-Rwanda Parliamentary Friendship League; Professor Akihiko TANAKA, President of JICA, and Madam Sadako OGATA, Former President of JICA, and former High Commissioner for UNHCR;
Prof. Govindan PARAYIL, Vice Rector of UNU, Representing the United Nations;
The event was also attended by members of the Diplomatic Community, members of Japanese private sector and civil society, Rwandans living in Japan as well as friends of Rwanda.
Dr. Charles MURIGANDE, the Ambassador of Rwanda to Japan, in his remarks:
Explained about this year’s theme and emphasized that we are gather first, to solemnly remember the one million lives we lost in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, secondly, to celebrate the progress that Rwanda has made in reconciliation, reconstruction and peace-building over the last 20 years, and thirdly, as a reaffirmation of our shared humanity and a recommitment to do what it takes to ensure that genocide never happens again anywhere in the world.
These triple purposes are summed up in the theme of this 20th Commemoration of the genocide against the Tutsi which is Kwibuka20: Remember – Unite – Renew.
Ambassador explained that using the pretext of the death of the President of Rwanda in a plane crash, Extremists in the government of Rwanda called for the extermination of Tutsis, and, in just 100 days one million Rwandans were mercilessly massacred, hundreds of thousands made orphans or widows, and millions became refugees or internally displaced.
Ambassador said that while the world watched helplessly the unfolding of this man-made calamity, it took the courage and sacrifice of some other Rwandans under the exceptional leadership of the current President of Rwanda, H.E. Paul Kagame, to fight and stop this genocide.
Ambassador mentioned that it is a sad truth that every genocide attracts a small but vocal cohort of people who will seek to deny, negate or diminish the circumstances of the tragedy, or who attempts to establish false moral equivalency by indicting victims and finding excuses for perpetrators, hence the purpose of commemoration is also to defend the truth which is continually under assault by the deniers.
Ambassador said that in the aftermath of 1994 genocide, Rwanda was a truly a traumatized, desolate and wasted land.
Many in the international community expressed doubts whether Rwanda could continue to exist as a sovereign independent state, but as we 20 years later as commemorate that tragedy, Rwandans have courageously picked up the pieces, reconciled and united around a shared vision of building a new, peaceful, stronger and prosperous and nation.
Ambassador highlighted the following achievements;
Rwanda is now one of the safest, peaceful and cleanest countries in Africa and is often cited as an example of successful post-conflict peace-building and recovery and many post-conflict countries around the world have been sending us delegations to look at the home-grown best practices that have helped us to turnaround one of the bleakest the situation of in the history of nations.
Rwanda has also experienced high and inclusive economic growth which has transformed the lives of millions of Rwanda in both the urban and rural areas and is likely to meet almost all the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Indicated that like any other society Rwanda is still faced with a lot of social and developmental challenges, but the modest but meaningful achievements attained against incredible odds over the last 20 years have created in Rwandans strong self-confidence, resolve and belief that we shall overcome all the challenges that lie ahead of us on our road to durable peace and prosperity.
Ambassador noted that the 1994 genocide in Rwanda was not a completely wasted tragedy for the International Community and for Rwanda. Lessons have been learnt, as Rwandan and Bosnian tragedies inspired the creation of the International Criminal Court (ICC), the adoption by the 2005 World Summit in New York of the concept of the “Responsibility to Protect – R2P” and the creation of the Office of Special Adviser to the U.N. Secretary General on the Prevention of Genocide, although their implementation is still wanting.
Ambassador said that 1994 genocide has engraved in our DNA a strong determination to never be bystanders in the face of suffering people.
This explains why Rwanda is currently the 6th troop contributor to UN Peacekeeping operations and our troops are exemplary in the discharge of their mission in Darfur (Sudan), in South Sudan, in Ivory Coast, Liberia, CentrAfrican Republic, Mali and Haiti
Ambassador concluded his remarks by thanking the people and government of Japan, other partners as well as the United Nations and its agencies for their invaluable support, to Rwanda in the last 20 years.
Representing the Government of Japan, Hon. Hirotaka ISHIHARA, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Representing the Government of Japan in his remarks:
Said he was encouraged by the new constitution that eradicate ethnic, regional and other division rather promotes national unity and believe Rwanda will rebuild the country along that spirit.
Commended Rwanda’s socio-economic progress and depicted the country as a miracle of Africa.
Saluted Rwanda’s contribution to PKO and observed that this reflects Rwanda’s determination to be one of those countries acting to maintain and achieve world’s peace and safety, noting that Japan also want to follow Rwanda to be active in world’s peace building.
Observed that the experience of Rwandans turnaround from that tragic situation will be a source of hope for Japanese people who experienced disaster in Tohoku area in march 2011.
Said he was deeply pleased to see Rwanda recovering, keeping high economical growth and contributing to world’s peace building and their commitment to rebuilding of the country. At the same time, noticed to the Rwanda’s significant role in peace building in the world and Japan will support Rwanda’s commitment.
Prof. Govindan PARAYIL, Vice Rector of UNU, in his remarks recalled how the international community failed Rwandan people, commended Rwanda’s remarkable achievements, and highlighted that the adoption of the ‘Responsibility to Protect’ resolution was one of the lessons learnt.
He then read a special message by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for the 20th commemoration of the Rwanda genocide, where SG said that The world will always remember the more than 800,000 innocent people so brutally murdered as we pay tribute to the bravery and resilience of the survivors.
The world will draw inspiration from the ability of the Rwandan people to unite and show that reconciliation is possible even after a monumental tragedy. And pay tribute to their determination to renew their country and pave the way to a secure and prosperous future.
He will be in Rwanda to participate in the commemoration event and he use the occasion to encourage the people and Government of Rwanda to continue promoting the inclusive spirit needed for healing and reconciliation, and to deepen respect for human rights.
Madam Sadako OGATA, spoke on her engagement with the government of Rwanda first when she was the High Commissioner of UNHCR in 1990s and later as the President of JICA, and she;
Said that UNHCR as a humanitarian agency worked not only repatriation and settlement of returnees but also helped on reconstruction and reconciliation of Rwandan society simultaneously, and they strategically ensured that women not only are closely involved but also advocated for their empowerment thorough education and trainings.
commended President Kagame’s strategy to focusing on development of human resource as cornerstone of the development of Rwanda; convinced of this strategy, at the request of the government of Rwanda, JICA decided to restart the Tumba the College of Technology in 2007, which they had stopped funding during and after the genocide.
Said that although people describe Rwanda’s high development as a “African Miracle,” she observed that in contrary these achievements are results of deliberate policy choices by the Rwandan leadership.
She observed that the rest of the world could learn from Rwanda’s tragedy and achievements of post-genocide Rwanda and she believe that Rwanda will keep its development path and will continue to be the example to be emulated by the rest of the world.
Hon. Endo Toshiaki, Congressman and chairman of Japan-Rwanda Parliamentary Friendship League, also delivered a message on behalf of all members, and said that Rwanda has made significant recovery and has transformed herself into a peaceful country; and that this turnaround is very commendable and he believe that Rwanda will keep following its path and play important role in world’s peace building.
Mr. Justine NDAGIJIMANA, a Genocide survivor who lives in Japan shared his testimony, mentioning that his father, mother, and many relatives were killed during the genocide, him and his two brothers survived.
He said after the genocide he developed a strong determination to live and make a difference not only for him but also for his killed family members.
{Dr. Charles MURIGANDE, the Ambassador of Rwanda to Japan}
{Prof. Govindan Parayil, Vice Rector of UNU, Representing the United Nations}
{Madam Sadako Ogata}
{Hon. Hirotaka ISHIHARA, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Representing the Government of Japan}
{{Central Africa Government officials, MISCA representatives and UN officials joined on 7 April 2014 Rwanda Infantry Mechanized Battalion (Rwamechbatt1) deployed in AU peace mission (MISCA) in Bangui in 20th Commemoration of genocide against Tutsi.}}
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Kongo Doudou Toussaint was the guest of honor representing HE President Samba Panza in the ceremony.
He came with the Minister of defence Gen Thomas Tchimangwa, Security Minister, Mr Denis Wangao Kizimalet, Minister in Presidency office, Mr Jean Jacques Demafouth and Bangui Mayor Ms Wodobode Yacinthe.
MISCA Head of mission Ret Gen Jean Marie Mokoko and his deputy Brig Gen Martin Toumenta Chomu also attended the ceremony that took place at SOCATEL MPOKO barracks in Bangui.
The Rwamechbatt1 Commanding officer, Lt Col J Paul Karangwa thanked different officials present for joining Rwandans to remember the 1994 genocide against Tutsi.
He urged them to get lessons from what happened in Rwanda. He also said that the world should not allow such atrocities to happen again either in Central Africa Republic or any other place.
Lt Col J Paul Karangwa said that Rwanda has rebuilt from ashes of 1994 genocide against Tutsi to become a peaceful and developed country.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Kongo Doudou Toussaint thanked Rwanda for deploying forces in Central Africa to help the country overcoming from conflicts.
“I thank you for what you do here and Central Africans will learn from you to move forward as you have done in your country”.
MISCA Force commander, Brig Gen Martin Tumenta thanked Rwanda peacekeepers for their professionalism demonstrated in MISCA operations.
He urged the Rwamechbatt1 to bring to Central Africa Republic the experience on how Rwanda recovered from the genocide.
MISCA Head of mission, Ret Gen Jean Marie Mokoko commended Rwandans for their efforts to build the country after genocide,”You cannot understand this unless you go to Kigali and witness how Rwanda is developing even more than powerful countries” he said.
Gen Mokoko thanked Rwanda peacekeepers for the good experience they brought in AU peacekeeping mission in Central Africa.
He also said that MISCA forces stand with Rwandans to remember and say never again to genocide.
After speeches, officials laid wreath on scene of photos reflecting the 1994 genocide against Tutsi and observed one minute of silence in honoring the victims.
{Lt Col J Paul Karangwa delivering his speech}
{Brig Gen Martin Tumenta, MISCA Force Commander}
{{Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Kongo Doudou Toussaint}}
{{Rwandans in New Delhi India have joined other Rwandans in the 20th commemoration of the genocide against ethnic Tutsi’s that claimed over a million lives.}}
Rwanda’s Envoy to India Ernest Rwamucyo urged people gathered for the commemoration event to always honour the victims of Genocide against Tutsi’s and take part in the fight against genocide ideology.
The 20th commemoration event in New Dehli was held on 7th April at India International Centre in collaboration with the Embassy of Rwanda in India and the UN information Center for India and Bhutan and the government of India.
The event was attended by Rwandans living in India, Diplomats and representatives of various organizations.
During the 20th commemoration, prayers were presided over by Monsignor Marco Sprizzi on behalf of the representative of Pope in India.
Rememberance candles were lit and a minute of silence was observed in honour of the victims of the genocide against Tutsi.
{{A Rwandan MIT student Billy Ndengeyingoma was elected vice President of the undergraduate association.}}
On March 21, after weeks of campaigns from three tickets, Shruti Sharma ’15 and Billy Ndengeyingoma ’15 emerged as the winners of this year’s Undergraduate Association elections for president and vice president.
In preparation for their upcoming administration, Sharma and Ndengeyingoma have described three overarching themes for their tenure on their campaign website: the MIT educational experience, communication and visibility, and the residential campus of the 21st century.
To achieve the long-term goals stated on their website, Sharma and Ndengeyingoma said they would look to the Presidential Advisory Cabinet and the Corporation Joint Advisory Committee as “channels of advocacy.”
By requesting “transition documents” for each position on the UA executive board, the pair hopes to “ensure a smooth continuity between UA administrations.”
Sharma and Ndengeyingoma said that they would be continuing a number of the initiatives set forth by Sidhanth P. Rao ’14 and Devin T. Cornish ’14, the previous UA president and vice president.
Specifically, Sharma and Ndengeyingoma found the “Chief of Staff summit, weekly Institute committee lunches, and semesterly Institute committee policy reports” particularly effective and will maintain these programs in the coming semesters.
During debates and campaigns, all of the presidential candidates touched on the perceived lack of transparency and communication between students and the UA.
Sharma and Ndengeyingoma said they would establish or reestablish several UA programs to help address these problems.
“In order to bridge this gap in communication, we are planning on reinstituting the format of presidential summits of the Craighead and Walsh term two years ago,” said Sharma and Ndengeyingoma in an email response to The Tech.
The summits have not continued during Rao and Cornish’s time as president and vice president.
“These summits will assemble IFC, Panhel, and DormCon presidents as well as representatives from cultural groups and department associations,” Sharma and Ndengeyingoma wrote.
“This will ensure a continuous flow of information, avoid misconceptions, and allow for diverse representation.”
The newly elected pair will also establish new programs they said would make the UA more effective.
They plan to “hold meetings with all the undergraduate course presidents in one room to discuss how advising, tutoring and academic events is done in each of the majors.”
A new UA Advisory Board, Sharma and Ndengeyingoma said, would “be available to all students to discuss the workings of the UA and MIT administration” and “help resolve the stigma surrounding mental health and support resources and clarify common misconceptions and academic appeals to the Committee on Academic Performance and the Committee on Discipline.”
They also said they planned to work with administrators like Provost Martin A. Schmidt PhD ’88 and Professor Sanjay Sarma, the director of digital learning.
The election results were announced by the UA on March 21. Sharma and Ndengeyingoma claimed 946 of the 1787 ballots cast for their positions.
The other tickets were for Andrew M. Acker ’15 and Grace E. O’Malley ’15 and for Jeffrey M. Sperling ’15 and Nathan H. Varady ’16.
{{Hundreds of Rwandans and friends of Rwanda today gathered at Place du Luxembourg in brussels where they showed overwhelming support to the Rwanda government and in particular President Paul Kagame currently attending the EU-Africa Summit in Belgium.}}
{IGIHE reporter stationed in Brussels captured the excitment and jubilation in support of President Paul Kagame who arrived in Brussels on April 1. {below are some photos}}
{{Rwanda peacekeepers deployed in UN mission in Darfur (UNAMID), were joined by International Staff and Darfur Locals in Global Umuganda to mark 20th commemoration of genocide against Tutsi.}}
The community work was conducted in a place called Suqal Mawashi, El-Fasher, Sudan. Peacekeepers helped locals to collect plastic bags, cleared stagnant water around El-Fasher suburbs, removed dirty stuffs and cleaned different places.
In a meeting after Umuganda, Brig Gen Norbert Kalimba, UNAMID Chief of Staff, on behalf of UNAMID leadership, encouraged the locals present to adopt the culture of Umuganda in their country and live in a clean environment.
Gen Kalimba also urged the locals to cooperate with Security Forces to bring stability in their region. “Your cooperation is key to bring about security in your region”, Gen Kalimba told the locals.
Col SK Baguma, Rwanda Contingent Commander in UNAMID promised to conduct Umuganda activities monthly, as it is being practiced in Rwanda, as long as they will own it and are committed on it.
“If you own and commit yourself on these activities we shall do the same every end of the month as we are practicing it back home,” told them Col Baguma.
Locals thanked Rwandan peacekeepers to help them clean up their neighborhoods. “We had never seen Military apart from their military activities helping us to do cleaning”. One of the locals thanked Rwanda peacekeepers for much assistance they have rendered to them.
“We appreciate Rwanda peacekeepers activities here in Darfur, there are many peacekeepers from different nationalities in Darfur, but we had never seen any of them initiating such kindly acts apart from you”, said Mustaf Tadjan, the chief of hygiene and Sanitation in El-fasher.
Meanwhile, Rwanda Peacekeepers deployed in AU peace mission in Central Africa conducted Global Umuganda in their barracks, SOCATEL MPOKO, Bangui where they cleaned neighborhoods and made ground leveling where they will establish tents for soldiers.
RwaMechBatt1 had launched and conducted Umuganda with Bangui residents on 22 March 2014, where they cleared bush in SOCATI and BENENGWE localities, Bangui, Central African Republic.
{Peacekeepers holding a meeting with locals after Umuganda}
{Col Baguma with ACP Mwesige joined by Darfur Locals in Umuganda}
{Rwanda Peacekeepers conducting Umuganda in SOCATEL MPOKO barracks, Bangui}
MOD
{{Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Joseph Habineza, has said Nigeria problem is greed rather than religion and ethnicity.}}
The envoy was speaking in Abuja at the weekend at a press briefing in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
He noted that religion and ethnicity had been used as tools of manipulation by politicians, saying delegates at the National Conference should not to elevate the issue of religion which he said is personal.
He warned that Nigerians should learn from Rwanda’s tragic past.
This year’s celebration, which will take place on April 13, is titled: “Remember-Unite-Renew.”
Habineza said, “the ongoing national conference is a good thing but first of all, individually, the delegates should have self-transformation, because you can be in the conference and from there you go and call your friend, who is a member of Boko Haram, to attack. So nothing is going to come out from there if you are not committed to the peace of your country.”
Habineza also added that whether a Christian or a Muslim, everyone should realise that the two religions were adopted.
“These are manipulations of the politicians. So our tragic history should be a lesson for Nigeria. Why should somebody be killed on what he believes in? So this celebration should not only be for Rwandans but for the whole world that division, segregation, bad leadership, can lead to killings, genocide,” he said.
He explained that with the resources available in the country, every Nigerian should have access to decent and affordable house if these are productively used.
According to him, “Nigerians should have a nice house, water; just what you have here. Look at your land, so fertile, and you import tomatoes; the oil, the gas, minerals that even people don’t know. You focus on that and make it productive. So they should think about the people, not about themselves, the delegates who are there; not talking about how much we are getting from here.
“The fact is there are bad politicians and there are good politicians but the bad ones are so evil; they can use all means to get what they want.”
He further advised those calling for secession to have a re-orientation as those who called for war were often being the first victims.
Habineza, who recalled the 1994 crisis of his country, attributed it to the same kind of manipulation, first by the colonial power on the one hand and the country’s politicians on the other hand.
He said, “This kind of indoctrination, brainwashing, mixed with poverty brought Rwanda to that end. We have to blame ourselves and the colonials also. The agenda then was to divide the country because they found it difficult to believe that a society can be well structured and organised like Rwanda. This is our past and we have learnt from it. It is a lesson to the whole world.
“Coming to our experience, a week before the tragedy, I met somebody who was an adviser to the late president, a former ambassador to Germany. He was a very close friend to my parents and we were discussing politics. The president was supposed to implement the Arusha Agreement…So I met this adviser and I said your Excellency, uncle, why don’t you advise the president to implement the Arusha Agreement?
“He said my son, in politics, it is like a tug-of-war, which if it is cut, you fall. You see, it can’t be cut because we are the majority…but he doesn’t know that if you think like that, you can be the first victim and your family members too may be killed. If you are thinking of bringing the war, you can be the first victim. But you know what happens, that ambassador, unfortunately, died in the plane with the president.”
Habineza therefore advised the delegates and other Nigerians in position of authority to see their present status as an opportunity to serve the people and not to serve themselves.
“I think politicians should remember they are public servants because once you are serving, you are rendering service, and not that you are serving yourself.”
{worldstage}
{{Rwandans living in Canada will this Saturday hold Umuganda as part of the 20th commemoration of the genocide that claimed over a million Tutsi lives in 1994, Rwanda.}}
Every last Saturday of the month , Rwandans engage in communal work ‘umuganda’ that benefits their communities.
This year as part of the 20th commemoration of the genocide , Rwandans around the world are invited to participate by taking part also in Global Umungada .
In Canada, CARY Montreal in collaboration with Rwanda PAGE ( Association of Relatives and friends of the victims of the genocide, the DRM ( Rwandan Diaspora in Montreal ) and Rwanda footbal club decided to share in two ways:
By providing assistance to the Kangaroo House whose mission is to provide emergency services and frontline children whose parents live with temporary problems while supporting parents.
Also , for the sake of being present to the Rwandan community in Montreal , they will offer their assistance to three families in the community in various ways according to their needs .
Umuganda will start Saturday, March 29 from 10:00 to 17:00
Contact organisers
email to carymontreal@gmail.com .
{{A Rwandan Christian who had converted to Islam was among the people killed when police stormed the controversial Musa Mosque in Mombasa’s Majengo slums on February 2, according to a court document authorising his burial in Kenya.}}
Reports show he will be buried in a Muslim cemetery most likely in Mombasa after the Rwanda authorities and his family failed to claim his body.
The Kadhi Court in Mombasa issued a decree dated March 26 authorising the release of the body “for burial according to Islamic rites.”
Born Francois Ndacyayisenga on June 9 1991 in Rubengera Karongi in Rwanda, he has been travelling as Abdulrashid Ndacyayisenga after becoming a Muslim and “lost his life in the Masjid Musa incident,” according to Hussein Khalid Hussein, the Executive Director of Haki Africa, a human rights agency.
The group has been spearheading recovery of unclaimed and unknown victims of the mosque raid.
The letter is signed by Sheikh Abdulhalim Athman, the Principal Kadhi in Kenya, following a petition by Haki Africa on Tuesday.
In the letter, Sheikh Athman says Francois’ family has “consented to the burial of the body,” which has been lying ridden with bullet wounds and unclaimed at the Coast General Hospital in Mombasa.
A copy of Francois’ passport shows that he formerly travelled on a Rwandan passport, number PC144736 and with a Rwandan national identity card 1 1991 8 0068362 02.
The documents show he travelled to Uganda before entering Kenya through Busia in January this year. The storming of Musa Mosque was sparked by what police allege to be an illegal jihadist training convention by Muslim extremists.
Four worshippers and a policeman were killed in the chaos and police claim they responded after some gunmen inside mosque shot at them. After the raid, police claimed there were some foreigners in the congregation.
Acknowledge citizenship Yesterday, Khalid told The Standard that the Rwandan “was a student at an Islamic school in Kilifi.” He also said the body lay unclaimed in the morgue for weeks until it was identified by alleged former schoolmates.
{standard}