Speaking to IGIHE, the RDF spokesperson, Lt. Col Innocent Munyengango said that the attack took place yesterday.
“Yesterday our peacekeepers in CAR were given duty to protect and save lives of civilians who were attacked by an armed group as it is their mission, it took place in a region called PK5 in Bangui city. Our soldiers stopped the attack and saved people. But, unfortunately, we lost one soldier and eight injured,” he said.
“That is sad news to the country and RDF. We comfort the family of the deceased and all arrangements to repatriate the body are being processed so that he is buried in the country,” he added.
Munyengango said that these who sustained injuries are being treated and their conditions are improving.
Currently Rwanda has 960 peacekeepers in Central African Republic.
In CAR, Rwanda soldiers have, among others responsibilities, to ensure the security of the President, high government officials and other institutions.
The major highlight of the event was a testimony by Josephine Murebwayire, a 64-year-old widow who lost all her six children, a husband and two brothers during the 1994 massacres.
“On the night of 6th April 1994 when the plane that was carrying President Habyarimana was shot down, two soldiers and two Interahamwe came to our home. They demanded for money and before they left, they said that those coming to finish us were on their way,” she said.
On 7th of April, Murebwayire and her family sought refuge at Ndera Seminary school and this is where almost all her family perished.
“On 11th of April 1994, hundreds of Interahamwe militias descended on us butchering us aimlessly, all my six children, my husband and two brothers died on spot. As I was socked in a pool of blood with wounds all over my head, killers left me thinking that I was dead. A few days later, RPF soldiers came to my rescue, took me to their base in Byumba for protection and treatment,” Murebwayire recalls.
Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Kenya Ambassador James Kimonyo thanked United Nations for recognizing what happened in Rwanda in 1994 as genocide against a particular group.
“I take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the United Nations General Assembly for finally adopting resolution recognizing that what happened in Rwanda between April 7th and July 1994 was Genocide against the Tutsi,” he expressed.
The envoy challenged members of diplomatic corps to act more swiftly in fighting against genocide denial and bring perpetrators to book.
“Many perpetrators who committed this heinous crime in Rwanda are still at large in your respective countries. Rwanda has done its part by sending the indictments to different countries seeking their extradition. If we are really serious about our collective pledge of fighting the culture of impunity, I humbly call on you to support us in making these individuals face justice by either extraditing them to Rwanda or at least take them through domestic prosecution though we would prefer the trials to take place in Rwanda where crimes were committed,” he said.
“I would like also to mention the issue of trivialization and denial of genocide. I know many European countries have enacted stringent laws to fight holocaust denial. Without comparing the magnitudes of the two crimes, we call upon these countries to enact same laws to fight the denial of other genocides including the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda,” Kimonyo added.
Speaking at the event, Kenya’s Amb. Macharia Kamau, Principal Secretary in the ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade who was also chief guest lauded Rwandans for their fortitude and resilience after the tragedy that befell the country 24 years ago.
“On this day of remembrance, Kenya joins People of Rwanda to honour the memory of the victims who perished in the genocide, and, salute people of Rwanda especially the survivors for their tremendous courage and resilience in their unyielding journey of healing, reconciliation and national recovery. We laud Rwanda’s astute leadership and resolute political will which has been at the centre of the transformed governance and socio-economic fabric of the Rwandan Society,” Macharia said.
The event was characterized by testimony, songs and poems.
In the lead-up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London on 19-20 April, Queen Elizabeth II – as Head of the Commonwealth – is rewarding inspirational volunteers across the 53 Commonwealth nations for the difference they are making in their communities and beyond.
By sharing these stories of service, the Heads of Government meeting will celebrate inspirational acts of volunteering across the Commonwealth and help inspire others to make their own contribution to tackling some of the greatest social challenges of our time.
Mary Balikungeri is s a devoted activist for women and girls’ rights especially those affected by the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. She is the director and founder of ‘Rwanda Women’s Network’ and an activist for the rights of women and girls, particularly those affected by war and conflict. The network is dedicated to improving the welfare and rehabilitation of women in Rwanda, working with over 52 grassroots associations across 13 districts of the country to support 4,000 women. Mary supports the psychological, social and medical needs of over 500 female survivors of sexual violence each week.
She also raises awareness of gender-based violence through community initiatives which have been replicated in four centres around Rwanda, impacting over 11,000 people.
“I am deeply honored and humbled for this outstanding recognition by Her Majesty the Queen and the Commonwealth. I am extremely grateful for all the people who have made this journey worth acknowledging. I therefore dedicate this award to the many women of Rwanda who have trusted me with their vulnerability to help rebuild their lives; funding partners and the ‘Rwanda Women’s Network (RWN)’ staff for working tirelessly to support our vision and transform the lives of women and communities. I hope that our work continues to inspire people from different walks of life to make a different in their respective communities.” said Mary Balikungeri
Jo Lomas, British High Commissioner to Rwanda acknowledged Mary Balikungeri’s outstanding volunteerism and dedication to helping vulnerable women following the 1994 Genocide against Tutsis.
“The Queen is recognizing Mary’s devotion to helping over 50 grassroots associations across Rwanda, catering for over 4,000 people. Mary’s efforts have also contributed to the establishment of 20 Women’s Safe Spaces around Rwanda which provide for over 500 women per week, including victims of gender based violence. The British High Commission in Rwanda is proud to present this award for her tireless and noble work. ”
Each Commonwealth Point of Light will receive a personalized certificate signed by The Queen as Head of the Commonwealth. The award for Mary Balikungeri will be presented later this month during a reception at the British High Commission in Kigali.
The ceremony took place at the Kigali Genocide memorial site where over 250,000 bodies of the Tutsi, including most of the members of PSF, all victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi, are buried.
The Chairperson of PSF in Kigali City, Bitwayiki André, said that commemorating is an event aimed at rendering dignity and value to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
“This is our way of honoring and paying tribute to what the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi had begun and achieved in our city,” He said
The PSF Chairman Robert Bapfakurera called upon private sector members to actively engage in building the country as opposed to those who helped destroy the country and to make sure that genocide ideology doesn’t creep into their families.
“I thank you for your contribution to the society in supporting Genocide survivors. With the zeal and courage that you show, I am certain that our country will reach greater extents,”Bapfakurera said. .
The Vice Chairman of the Association of Microfinance Institutions in Rwanda (AMIR), Kayumba Charles outlined the importance of commemoration to ensure that what took place 24 years ago never happens again.
“It is our responsibility to remember our fellow businesspersons who were killed in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and to ensure it never happens again”, he said.
PSF is yet to publish statistics of its members who lost their lives in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
A walk to remember was held preceding the main event. Around 300 people gathered at the FHI 360 Conference Center to honor the lives of the victims, to comfort the survivors, but also to recommit to a resounding Never Again.
During his remarks and reflection on a tragedy that could have been prevented by the international community, the Deputy Assistant Secretary Donald Yamamoto, representing the U.S. government said, “Rwandans bear the scars of the genocide, we all bear the guilt of the inaction.”
A panel discussion was held, discussing the different components of the theme Remember-Unite-Renew.
In his reflection on the revisionism crisis that is ongoing as part of the genocide denial discourse, Dr. Drew Kahn, one of the panelist underlined that “there is nothing spontaneous about the genocide. It is planned, and the narrative is repeated.” He followed these remarks by observing how the current Rwandan leadership has made efforts to have Rwandans be the ones telling their own stories. “President Kagame is not a story-teller. He is a story giver. What he has done is that he has returned the story of the genocide to its rightful owners, the Rwandan people.” He insisted that it is important for the international community to not only listen to the stories of the genocide from Rwandans themselves, but also to learn from their reconciliation and forgiveness processes.
Dr. Margee Ensign, a longtime friend of Rwanda touched on the subject of education, underlining that “Sustainable prevention of genocide begins with education. We must make sure that the education of our young ones is built from tolerance.”
Dr. Mironko, also insisted on making an intentional effort to understand the history of our country in order to adequately prevent the genocide from ever happening again.
Consolee Nishimwe, a survivor of the genocide, author, and women’s rights champion shared her moving testimony, demonstrating that survivors can, and have overcome adversity to be active contributors to the rebuilding of the country, and to recount their ordeal, so that the memory of the genocide may never fade.
There were over 40 students from various universities on the East Coast attending the commemoration, some of whom led the solemn crowd in a candle lighting ceremony.
In her remarks, Ambassador Mathilde Mukantabana thanked those who joined Rwanda for this commemorative event, and thanked the speakers for shedding a light on different facets of genocide, its prevention, and the fight against genocide denial. Ambassador Mukantabana commended the recent resolution by the UN to modify the name and recognize April 7th as the International day of reflection on the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. “The resistance to use the proper nomination of the Genocide against the Tutsi has lent strength to denial,” said Ambassador Mukantabana, designating this event as a step forward in the fight against genocide denial.
Amongst many distinguished guests were various Ambassadors, Ambassador Valentine Rugwabiza, the U.N Permanent Representative, and Defense Attaches from various countries.
The preliminary investigation leading to the trial was carried out during the weekend by Scotland Yard’s war crimes unit.
The investigation took place following the Rwanda’s request to prosecute in Britain, the men who have been described as ‘Masterminds’ of the genocide.
Last year, the government of Rwanda requested for their extradition but the process ended in failure, after the court ruled that in Rwanda they may not get fare justice.
In an interview with the Times, Justice Minister, Johnston Busingye accused Britain of acting as safe haven for criminals.
Busingye demanded that the five suspects should be tried in the UK.
“Some of the people responsible for these rapes and murders are on your soil. We’ve got people extradited from Sweden, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Norway, Denmark, Canada and the U.S. so, why does only the UK think we can’t give fair trial?” Busingye questioned.
“These are masterminds who somehow got UK citizenship paid by your tax-payers,” he added.
The event was attended by different officials including representatives of international organisations, ambassadors and representatives of Belgium government among others.
Speaking at the event, the ambassador of Rwanda in Belgium, Amb. Amandin Rugira told survivors that the government of Rwanda is doing all it can to support them in different aspects of life.
He hailed participants who attended the event saying that commemoration is part of national reconstruction.
“Commemoration is a good weapon towards reconstruction; it also helps to tell the truth about what happened,” he said.
Déo Mazina, the president of Ibuka (an Umbrella for Genocide survivors) in Belgium, reminded that commemoration strengthens unity among people and helps them not to be held with sorrow.
The 24th commemoration takes place after the United Nations Council approved appellation of the ‘genocide against the Tutsi’ and approved April 7th as the international day to commemorate victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
{{Photos: Karirima A. Ngarambe & Rutayisire Jessica}}
This action comes from the school’s recent partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. The foundation, through its $50 million, five-year initiative Hanga Ahazaza — which means “creating the future”, plans to equip 30,000 Rwandans with skills to transition into the tourism industry.
According to the foundation’s website, the Rwandan students will “receive training in communications, customer service, ICT, and digital literacy skills, and receive on-the-job training and opportunities for employment.”
Apart from equipping students, Hanga Ahazaza will also help small businesses owners in the tourism and hospitality sector in Rwanda through “increased access to financial services and business development skills so that they can create more employment opportunities” the website further stated.
Cornell’s online teaching department, eCornell, will be part of the initiative and will provide students with online training and virtual access to the faculty for the students in the programme.
Cornell University Hanga Ahazaza assistant director Nickie Fredenburg said the Rwandan government is hoping to create 200,000 new jobs annually and the university, Fredenburg said plans to grow the tourism sector.
“By upskilling current managers, resulting in advancing careers and providing businesses the proper training to increase revenue and in turn, create more jobs,” Fredenburg told Cornell Sun.
Besides Cornell University, the Mastercard Foundation has teamed up with Dalberg, GIZ, GroFin, Harambee, Horwath HTL, I&M Bank Rwanda, Inkomoko, and Vatel Rwanda to roll out the initiative.
Harerimana was speaking Saturday while launching the remembrance week and 100 days of commemoration in the district.
“Let’s do our best to tell the truth because the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi is something that we could not stop speaking about in our life. But, this time should also be an opportunity to inculcate love, unity and fight against the genocide and its ideology,” he urged.
He requested residents to remember by continuing to contribute to national development, particularly to support and comfort genocide survivors.
Emmanuel Kageruka, a survivor in the district said that Tutsis in former Kayove commune were killed and thrown in Lake Kivu.
“Interahamwe Militia had formed barricades and Tutsi who were caught were killed and thrown in Lake Kivu,” he said.
Using examples, Kageruka said that the genocide was brutally executed in the district where children killed their parents.
“Genocide was cruelly executed in this region, for example a man called Gabriel Nzabandora threw his mother in Lake Kivu. Five more men threw their wives in Kivu,” he explained.
The 1994 genocide against the Tutsi took the lives of over one million.
Completion of the programme takes two years of part-time study and will provide graduates with a world-class MBA from a globally recognized university.
As part of the Coventry University and eLearnAfrica initiative, 50 civil servants will initially be offered the opportunity to study the Coventry University online MBA programme.
The CEO of eLearnAfrica, Brook Negussie, explained the benefits of the bursary and MBA. “We are very excited to offer access to this very prestigious programme. As it is fully online and has a more flexible part-time course load, students can continue with their responsibilities while earning a degree from a globally-recognized university. This is an international programme, so students will interact with their peers from around the world.”
Former Minister of Education of Rwanda, Prof. Silas Lwakabamba, who recently joined the eLearnAfrica Academic Advisory Board, is coordinating the initiative in Rwanda.
“This programme has been launched in Rwanda and promises to support the constant improvement of our civil servants, who work every day to serve the people of Rwanda. We are confident that Rwanda will serve as a model for similar programmes throughout East Africa and the rest of the continent.”
The MBA provides students with the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills required to progress to more senior leadership roles. Students will gain an internationally recognized business qualification from a highly reputable, leading UK university.
Students will study through the social learning platform FutureLearn, giving them a chance to share knowledge and experience with other students and industry experts from across the globe. The platform is easily accessible on mobiles, tablets and desktops, making it easier to fit the course and learning around other commitments. Students will still have access to world-class teaching, with all learning and assessment taking place online. They will also receive the same Coventry University degree as those who study on-campus.
Bursary applicants must send an up-to-date CV to [students@elearnafrica.com->students@elearnafrica.com] for consideration for the bursary award and the Coventry University online application process.
Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s Degree and should have at least two years of experience in a professional position.
