The completion of the memorial will cost Rwf 550 million in two phases. The first in which the remains will be buried has been completed.
The second phase will be made of the genocide museum, detailing killings of Tutsi in Rukumberi.
Ngoma district vice mayor for economic affairs, Jean Marie Vianney Rwiririza has told IGIHE that they are fast-tracking construction activities so that remains from the area will be collected to be accorded decent burial at the memorial by 26th May 2019.
“We are finishing the first phase to be completed at Rwf 240 million in which we want to decently bury remains of victims of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi laid in different places,” he revealed.
He explained that the remaining part will cost Rwf 310 million. The completion will see Ngoma having two standard memorials at the district level.
The trio is; Marie Jeanne Mukampunga from Burera district, Evariste Gatorano from Ngororero and Hakizimana Jean Damascene from Musanze district. Talking to IGIHE, they narrated their ordeal and faced persecution as they crossed to Uganda.
Gatorano explained they were arrested with 12 men but only two were released and could not trace where their colleagues are.
“I went to Uganda in July 2017 with one-week travel document. I was in a group of 13 Rwandans. We were arrested along the way. Our travel documents were taken and torn into pieces. They abused us and took us to the prison,” he said.
“They mistreated us and insulted us that we are stupid Hutus leaving our country led by Tutsis,” added Gatorano.
Marie Jeanne Mukampunga said she was illegally jailed on an accusation of motorcycle theft.
“I was working at a hotel and saw a client who came on a motorcycle with another person who didn’t enter the facilities. I served him. When he returned his motorbike had gone missing. He accused me to be behind the theft alleging that we, Rwandans are thieves. They took me to the police station, asked me whether I am Rwandan which I accepted,” she said.
“I was seriously beaten, took me to the prison when I was in critical condition. I have been released because of the ailments I developed from these beatings. I left someone in prison jailed for being Rwandan. In fact, we are a taboo on their land,” added Mukampunga.
Hakizimana narrated that he was arrested by officials who handed them travel documents to Uganda. They solicited money and took them to prison failing to provide requested money.
“They requested me Rwf 45,000. Failure to pay leads me to prison. They release someone having money; otherwise, they inform that you are subject to what Rwandans deserve. Hence, facing imprisonment and forced labor,” he said.
Rwanda has advised Rwandans not to cross to Uganda following torture, unfair imprisonment and deportation of Rwandans from Uganda until things are back to normal.
Using a short nocturnal video featuring Kigali Convention Centre sparkling in colors making Rwanda national flag, the carrier released a statement indicating Kigali as the next destination.
The flight will begin on 27th April 2019 where EgyptAir will regularly take off on Thursday and Saturday from Cairo and leave Kigali on Friday and Sunday.
Passengers to Egypt from Kigali would use Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines through Kenya and Ethiopia.
Kangura newspaper was founded by Hassan Ngeze in 1990 who was later to be convicted of fanning genocide and given a 35 years sentence by The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) for genocide crimes.
As he featured on the panel discussing on “Choosing Humanity” yesterday on the second day of the international conference preparing the 25th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi held in Kigali, Dupaquier said that the media played a critical role in the preparation and execution of genocide on the support of leadership.
On 23rd April 1991, President Habyarimana held a working visit in France where he agreed to open a political platform giving room for more political parties.
He went to France, six months after RPF Inkotanyi started the liberation war. Before concluding his visit to France, Habyarimana attended a press conference.
Considering issue No 6 of Kangura journal published in 1990, Dupaquier asked Habyarimana whether publications from the medium are not intended for divisionism and spreading hatred among citizens. Some of the main headlines of the issue included: Hutus in the diaspora request fellows to be united, The ten commandments of Hutus, Hutus should be vigilant, The doom of Hutus will be on the brink if not united among others.
Addressing over 400 participants attending the conference, Dupaquier said he informed Habyarimana that publications of Kangura are part of the crime.
“When President Habyarimana came to Paris in April 1991, he held a press conference. I asked him: His Excellency President; I have the issue No 6 of Kangura. I am going to read samples of its publications. I read 15 lines from the article mobilizing Hutus to be watchful,” he said.
“I remember to have told him: ‘Excellency President if a journalist from France releases similar writings targeting a group of France citizens; he must definitely go to prison’,” recalled Dupaquier.
He said the reply of President Habyarimana was: “At home; it is called freedom of expression.”
Dupaquier recalled how he was surprised but made analysis latter and established that the government was behind the creation of Kangura.
He said the newspaper was a hidden plan of military intelligence department chaired by Anatole Nsengiyumva.
“We stress on media; because it is one of the potential tools in which hatred is manifested. Hatred is a fruit grown from intoxicating human’s thoughts. It is a toll forged by weak politicians to restore the confidence of citizens,” he observed.
Dupaquier urged the world to prevent the spread of hatred speeches because hiding it could lead to mayhem like genocide. Apart from being a journalist; Dupaquier is also an author of books like ‘Rwanda, les médias du génocide’ written in collaboration with Jean-Pierre Chrétien, Marcel Kabanda, and Joseph Ngarambe.
During the event, three authors shared insights from their books on the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi and advised the youth on engaging in the preservation of genocide history and desist misinterpretations.
The event took place in Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village yesterday evening marking the end of the first day of the international conference on genocide conversations convening in Kigali on “Preserving Memory, Championing Humanity”.
Through their works of literature, the authors depicted the dark history Rwanda has passed through; what pushed their inspiration and advised the youth inside and outside the country to resist genocide denials and misinterpretation.
Authors featured in the discussions include Virginie Brinker a France national, Rwandan Jean Marie Vianney Rurangwa and Koulsy Lamko from Tchad who held a discussion on preserving the history of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
“What happened in Rwanda concerns Africa and the World. We know that neighbors intervene when a family is facing tough situations. Africa is asleep on its history but we need to awaken through literature,” said Lamko.
Lamko explained that African writers need to join hands writing the truth of what happened because it gives a perception of how things are.
Virginie Brinker the author of ‘‘La Transmission littéraire et cinématographique du génocide des Tutsi au Rwanda’’ was a lecture of literature since 2003. She was attracted by what she saw about genocide on TV and pushed her to come for eye witness.
“Contemplating about history should be the concern of the youth nowadays. It is not the past but the future. There is a little step achieved in teaching genocide history since 2009. The most important is that you can find places programs teaching about these courses. We have to work together as researchers but Rwandans should go forward along this journey,” she said.
These authors highlighted artistic expressions have an impact on teaching future generations with the aim of preventing reoccurrence of genocide.
Rurangwa who joined the career 33 years ago is the author behind books like “Les identités lourdes à porter”, ‘‘Au sortir de l’enfer’’, “Un Rwandais sur les routes de l’exil’’ and ‘‘Génocide des Tutsi expliqué à un étranger’’.
He also highlighted that knowledge shared through the works of literature shall enable the world to feel ownership of genocide history.
“Writing what happened properly spreads awareness because there might be reoccurrence if it is not known to the world. That is why we have to write books, poems, drama, and long stories so that our children and the youth know what happened to prevent reoccurrence,” said Rurangwa.
He urged the youth to be fearless talking about genocide history in schools and share right values.
Café Littéraire is organized by the National Commission for the Fight against Genocide (CNLG) in partnership with the national library.
The event held in France recently was part of activities in line with preparations of the 25th Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
Participants held talks focusing on increasing deep awareness on the history of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi, giving room to witnesses who also exhibited books and gave testimonies.
The 12 authors include Mujawayo Esther, Kayimahe Vénuste, Umubyeyi Beata Mairesse, Lyamukuru Félicité, Muzima Philibert, Frida Umuhoza, Murangira César, Rurangwa Révérien, Mukantabana Adélaïde, Kabarari Valens, Habonimana Charles, and Uwanyirigira Marie-Ange.
Each of them was given the floor to provide give testimonies and share about their experiences and inspirations. They all had a common motive of writing genocide history to pass on the truth to generations to learn from the past and prevent reoccurrence of similar tragedies.
Organized by Ibuka –France in partnership with Jews Genocide Memorial (Mémorial de la Shoah) City of Paris, among other institutions, the event attracted people from different walks including representatives of IBUKA (the organizational umbrella of genocide survivors) in European countries.
These include the presidents of Ibuka-France, Dr. Marcel Kabanda, Ibuka-Suisse, Cesar Murangira; Ibuka Mémoire & Justice Belgique, Félicité Lyamukuru and the president of Hollande, Safari Christine.
The event was preceded by a civic education training organized by Ibuka-France bringing together survivors of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi living in Europe held in Paris on 30 March 2-19 where they discussed how to promote commemoration activities and resilience.
Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, arrived this Friday, at the Kigali International Airport from Ottawa accompanied by a delegation of prominent Canadians. She was greeted by Rwandan officials and received by an Honour Guard.
“The visit to Rwanda demonstrates Canada’s commitment to preventing genocide and mass atrocities as well as its support for reconciliation processes,” reads the official statement from the Canadian High Commission.
During her stay, the Governor General will lay a wreath to honor the victims of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsis. She will also visit the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS-Rwanda) facilities, where she will deliver brief remarks and take part in a Q&A session with students on the importance of education and science.
The discussion highlights Canada’s interest in promoting the inclusion of youth as well as the importance of science and technology.
The Governor General and members of the delegation will also engage with Rwandan youth during an activity with participants of Right to Play.
RTP is a global organization that protects, educates and empowers children to rise above adversity using play. By harnessing play, one of the most powerful and fundamental forces in a child’s life, RTP helps 1.9 million children each week to stay in school and out of work, to prevent life-threatening diseases like HIV and malaria and to stay safe from exploitation and abuse.
The visit which will strengthen the long-standing co-operation between Canada and Rwanda.
He made the remarks yesterday addressing 250 youth during talks on the preparation of the upcoming 25th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
Gen Kabarebe was responding to a participant who asked why the Government of Rwanda trusts children of genocide perpetrators giving them employment in different government positions like the daughter of Col. Nsekarije.
“No one should carry consequences of parents’ involvement in genocide. A mature person is independent that he/she chooses what to do. No one should be subject to consequences of someone else’s wrongdoing,” he said.
“You should not be judging that child in the mirror of the parent. If you do so, you would not be different from others with negative ideology. It is not right because it offends the child,” added Kabarebe.
Col. Aloys Nsekarije held different positions as the foreign affairs minister and the minister of education.
He died in 2009 several weeks after he was admitted at a hospital in Bruxelles, Belgium.
Nsekarije daughter, Alice Akana fled the country in 1995 to Belgium where she was involved in acts inciting public hatred against Rwanda on Facebook.
She later changed her attitude, returned to Rwanda and joined others to build the nation.
“First of all trust every Rwandan; let him/her lose the trust himself and consider what next based on that. Do so wherever you meet a Rwandan in diaspora or elsewhere,” said Gen Kabarebe.
Gen. Kabarebe said “First you analyze the situation. The fact that the daughter of Nsekarije fled the country early wrote against Rwanda in the media and changed mindsets; why can’t you trust her? She is not alone, there are others (with similar case),” he noted.
Gen. Kabarebe said, aside from the daughter of Nsekarije, there are others who understand the truth about their country and change mindsets.
As indicated by the Ministry of Justice (MINIJUST), these laws are over 1000 said to be obsolete.
Rwanda was a colony of two countries, German (1900-1916) and Belgium between (1916-1962).
In an interview with IGIHE, Alain Songa Gashabizi, the acting head of the department for law research, reform, and revision at the Rwanda Law Reform Commission (RLRC) said that some laws in Rwanda are outdated.
He explained, after the independence of Rwanda in 1962, the then president announced that all international agreements signed by Belgium during the colonial rule have to be applied in Rwanda.
“This means, if Belgium signed agreements with France on a particular issue, they may bring these agreements to say Rwanda has such duties in France and Belgium based on the announcement,” said Gashabizi.
Others he said are outdated include approved laws during the colonial rule with clauses limiting black people in accessing some places.
After taking the photographs, Gunila went back home and kept the pictures without using them anywhere in the media.
She returned to Rwanda to handover the pictures which she presented to Gisozi genocide memorial yesterday to serve as evidence on the truth of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
The pictures depict perpetration of genocide in different regions including Nyarubuye in Kirehe district, former Kibungo Prefecture; Nyamata in Bugesera district and Muhanga in former Gitarama Prefecture.
Gunila explained that these pictures expose the truth and cruelty of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
“Humbled to do this. Finally, my unpublished photographs will end up in the right place. I am proud that journalism can make a difference,” she said in a tweet.
The statement of the Swedish embassy on the handover of the pictures indicates that Gunila handed over the pictures along with a documentary on the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi produced by Swedish Educational Broadcasting Company.
The film revolves around the role played by the media in conflicts and depicts the duty of the international community in fighting against impunity.
The pictures are handed over as Rwanda prepares for the 25th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi to begin on 7th April 2019 which took lives of over one million Tutsi.
