The visit took place on April 10, 2026. During the tour, staff members were briefed on the history of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Ntarama and shown various pieces of evidence documenting the atrocities committed.
One employee noted that the visit served as a reminder of their collective responsibility to combat genocide ideology.
“Visiting the Ntarama Memorial reminds us that remembrance goes beyond the victims’ families. It is an ongoing duty that calls on all of us to actively fight genocide ideology. As Rwandans, we remain committed to standing against it and upholding these values,” the employee said.
Following the memorial visit, the staff travelled to Bugesera District to meet elderly women survivors residing at Impinganzima. They engaged with them in conversation and expressed solidarity during the ongoing national commemoration period.
The General Manager of Mövenpick Kigali, Médiatrice Umulisa, said the visit was intended to offer comfort and reassurance to the survivors.
“Today, as the Mövenpick Kigali Hotel family, we came to tell you that we stand with you, that we are close to you, and that you remain in our thoughts at all times. We are not here merely as visitors, but as your children and as friends who care deeply and wish to support you during this period of remembrance,” she said.
She added that their presence was also meant to reaffirm that survivors are not alone.
“We are here to support and comfort you. We will continue to stand with you and do everything possible to ensure you feel supported and remembered,” she said.
Olivier Granet, CEO of Kasada Capital Management, which manages Mövenpick Kigali Hotel, said Rwanda’s journey from tragedy to unity offers a powerful lesson to the world.
“It is difficult to comprehend what happened here and the weight of remembering it, yet what stands out is the country’s ability to rebuild unity, live together again, and look toward the future. This carries a strong message for the world, particularly in the times we are living in,” he said.
Mövenpick Kigali emphasised that Kwibuka is not merely a ceremonial observance, but a shared responsibility for all Rwandans and institutions, underscoring the importance of standing with and supporting survivors.
Staff members of Mövenpick Kigali visited the Ntarama Genocide Memorial on April 10, 2026. The staff members paid tribute to the victims laid to rest at the memorial and were briefed on the history of the Genocide against the Tutsi.After the memorial visit, the staff travelled to Bugesera District to meet elderly women survivors residing at Impinganzima.
He made the remarks during the 32nd commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi, organised by a youth initiative known as “Our Past Initiative,” which is held annually on April 9. The event brought together more than 10,000 young people at the Nyanza Genocide Memorial in Kicukiro District.
Nduhungirehe said that while remembrance is a matter of principle for Rwandans, it is sometimes misunderstood internationally as an expression of resentment.
“Commemoration is very important, but not everyone understands it that way. Some believe we should forget and move on with life. I have personally been told that Rwandans are exaggerating and should simply forget,” he said.
He stressed that such a position is impossible given the scale and nature of the crime committed during the genocide.
“The Genocide against the Tutsi claimed more than one million lives out of a population of just over seven and a half million in only 100 days. It was an unimaginable crime, which is why remembrance must continue indefinitely,” he said.
Nduhungirehe reflected on Rwanda’s historical context, including the colonial period, during which social categories of Hutu, Tutsi, and Twa were ethnicised, and divisive ideologies were introduced and reinforced under Belgian rule.
He noted that these ideologies were later sustained by successive post-independence governments, from Grégoire Kayibanda to Juvénal Habyarimana, and further entrenched through education systems that normalised ethnic division from an early age.
“In history classes, no child could be identified as Tutsi without consequences. Students were taught divisive narratives and then asked to identify themselves along ethnic lines. Teachers often knew students’ backgrounds and would single them out accordingly,” he said.
He argued that decades of indoctrination and hate propaganda contributed significantly to the scale and intensity of the genocide.
“The genocide was carefully planned, but without more than 30 years of indoctrination, it would not have reached such magnitude. People were taught to see their neighbours as enemies,” he said.
He added that the genocide was not carried out by a single group, but involved widespread participation.
“The genocide was not committed by the Interahamwe alone, nor solely by the army. In many cases, neighbours took part. That is why escape was extremely difficult,” he said.
Following the genocide, Rwanda embarked on a long process of rebuilding national unity and reconciliation.
This included psychosocial healing programmes, the establishment of the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission, and community-based justice mechanisms such as Gacaca courts, which enabled citizens to participate in delivering justice for genocide crimes.
On the international stage, he said, Rwanda faced significant resistance in securing recognition that the 1994 atrocities constituted the Genocide against the Tutsi, rather than a general genocide in Rwanda.
“For many years, it was difficult to have the genocide recognised as the Genocide against the Tutsi,” he said.
He noted that the United Nations General Assembly only formally adopted the International Day of Reflection on the Genocide against the Tutsi on April 7 in 2020, 26 years after the genocide.
He attributed the delay to resistance from powerful member states within the United Nations.
“There were powerful countries that did not accept the terminology and did not want it to be called the Genocide against the Tutsi,” he said.
He added that Rwanda often had to advocate persistently for international recognition of its history.
“In 2014, when I was a diplomat in New York, we spent nights lobbying countries to acknowledge our history. Many of those countries had not intervened or had, in some cases, been complicit,” he said.
Call to youth
Nduhungirehe warned of ongoing genocide denial and revisionism, particularly among some members of the Rwandan diaspora youth.
He cited groups such as Jambo ASBL, which he said are composed of children of individuals implicated in the genocide, and which promote narratives denying that the genocide was planned, instead claiming it was a spontaneous reaction following the assassination of President Juvénal Habyarimana.
He urged young people to actively counter such narratives by studying history, educating others, and rejecting genocide ideology.
“National unity, reconciliation, and the understanding that we are one people must remain our priority. We must tell young people abroad that genocide ideology has no place in Rwanda and will never be tolerated again,” he said.
he event brought together more than 10,000 young people at the Nyanza Genocide Memorial in Kicukiro District.Nduhungirehe said that while remembrance is a matter of principle for Rwandans, it is sometimes misunderstood internationally as an expression of resentment.
The visit, which took place at the Gisozi memorial site, provided the employees with an in-depth understanding of the history of the Genocide against the Tutsi from its planning and execution to its cessation and the nation’s journey of recovery and rebuilding.
Andy, the General Manager of Hunan Road & Bridge, expressed his admiration for the resilience and strength of the Rwandan people, noting that the experience at the memorial was deeply moving.
“As we work in Rwanda, we are part of this memory. Understanding the country’s history is essential. What we witnessed here demonstrates the strength and love Rwandans have for their nation. They were the ones who stood by each other during the most difficult times,” he stated.
Wang Jing, the Human Resources Manager at Hunan Road & Bridge, emphasised the importance of advocating for peace and ensuring that such tragic events are never repeated. He called on those who deny or downplay the genocide to visit the memorial and witness the reality of what happened.
“Denying what you haven’t seen is not the right approach. Those who question or deny the events of the past should come and see the truth, as we have. People, including children and women, lost their lives. Let them see the reality of what occurred,” Wang Jing remarked.
Hunan Road & Bridge is currently involved in the construction of the Prince House Masaka Road, a key infrastructure project that began in February 2026. The 10.3-kilometre road will consist of four lanes, expanding from the previous two-lane design to accommodate increased traffic and improve flow.
To ease congestion, an overhead section will be constructed, covering a distance of 1.3 kilometres. This section will connect the Prince House area in Remera to the Mutzig intersection in the Gasabo District. It will provide direct access to roads leading to Kigali International Airport and the Masaka region.
The new road design will include four lanes, two on the ground and two overhead, each with two directional lanes.
Additionally, the project includes a nine-kilometre stretch of road with four lanes, two in each direction, extending from Mutzig to Masaka Hospital.
The overall cost of expanding this road is projected to exceed 86 billion Rwandan francs upon completion.
Employees of Hunan Road & Bridges place wreaths on the graves of over 250,000 Tutsi victims killed in different parts of Kigali during the 1994 genocide.Employees of Hunan Road & Bridges pay their respects to Tutsi victims at the Kigali Genocide Memorial.Employees of Hunan Road & Bridges were educated on the history of the Genocide against the Tutsi, from its preparation and execution to the post-genocide journey of rebuilding.Employees of Hunan Road & Bridges at the Kigali Genocide Memorial.The Human Resources manager at Hunan Road & Bridges, Wang Jing, stated that genocide deniers should visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial to witness the history firsthand.
Facing rising fuel prices driven by international disruptions in oil supply, President Samia directed that government institutions immediately cut down on fuel use and unnecessary travel. At a ceremony for newly appointed officials in Dodoma, she said the government must act responsibly and lead by example.
Under her directive, the size of the presidential motorcade will be dramatically reduced. Instead of dozens of vehicles that previously traveled together, she will now be accompanied by a maximum of four cars: her official vehicle, security escort, police detail, and a backup car while the rest of the delegation will travel together on a single bus to further save fuel.
“From today, whenever I travel, the officers accompanying me will use consolidated transport in small buses to reduce fuel consumption and operational costs during this period,” President Samia said on Wednesday, stressing that the government must adapt its operations to the current economic pressures.
The decision also aims to reduce operational costs and demonstrate effective use of public resources at a time when many citizens are already experiencing higher prices for basic goods and services. Tanzania’s Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) recently confirmed that petrol and diesel prices have risen significantly, influenced by global market volatility.
President Samia warned traders against taking advantage of the fuel situation by inflating prices on existing stocks. She said that while some price increases are unavoidable due to increased costs for imported goods, fairness is essential so that everyday citizens are not unfairly burdened.
The fuel cost increases come at a time of geopolitical uncertainty, including disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for global oil supplies. Tanzania is not alone in facing these challenges, as several other African countries including Madagascar, South Africa, Ethiopia, and Senegal have also taken measures to manage fuel scarcity and rising prices.
Tanzanian leader orders smaller convoys and shared buses to cut fuel use as prices rise.
At the senior level, five officers have been promoted from Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) to Commissioner of Police (CP). These are Emmanuel Karasi, Bertin Mutezintare, Jean Népomuscène Mbonyumuvunyi, Barthélemy Rugwizangoga, and Fidèle Mugengana.
Ten officers were promoted from Commissioner of Police (CSP) to Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP). They include Claude Bizimana, Adolphe Nyagatare, Rango Ndoli, Callixte Kalisa, Vincent Habintwari Bihigi, Antoine Munyampundu, Faustin Kalimba, Hodali Rwanyindo, Christian Safari, and Alexis Nyamwasa.
In the broader category of senior and junior officers, five personnel were elevated from Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) to Commissioner of Police (CSP), while 94 moved from Superintendent of Police (SP) to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP). A further 161 officers were promoted from Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) to Superintendent of Police (SP).
Additionally, 574 officers advanced from Inspector of Police (IP) to Chief Inspector of Police (CIP), and 17 were promoted from Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP) to Inspector of Police (IP).
Among non-commissioned officers and other ranks, 282 personnel were promoted from Staff Sergeant (S/SGT) to Chief Sergeant (C/SGT), while 763 moved from Sergeant (SGT) to Staff Sergeant (S/SGT). At the lower levels, 1,886 officers were elevated from Corporal (CPL) to Sergeant (SGT), and 1,949 from Police Constable (PC) to Corporal (CPL).
The promotions span all levels of the force and reflect ongoing efforts to strengthen capacity and leadership within the Rwanda National Police.
Issued by Mayor Stephen C. N. Kepley, the proclamation commemorates the lives lost during the 1994 atrocities in Rwanda and calls on residents of Kentwood and the wider West Michigan community to reflect on the lessons of the past.
“I urge all citizens of Kentwood and West Michigan to learn from the past so that these types of atrocities may never take place in the world again,” the mayor stated.
The proclamation recalls that between April 7 and July 19, 1994, Rwanda experienced a coordinated campaign of mass violence in which more than a million Tutsi men, women, and children were killed in approximately 100 days. It also highlights the widespread sexual violence committed against Tutsi women during the genocide.
Recognised by the United Nations as the Genocide Against the Tutsi, the atrocity remains one of the most devastating chapters in modern history. The proclamation further acknowledges that the United States, and Kentwood in particular, has become home to survivors who have since rebuilt their lives as American citizens.
By designating April 7 as the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda, the city aims to honour victims and encourage education to prevent future atrocities.
Community leaders and genocide survivors welcomed the move as an important step in preserving historical truth and promoting awareness.
Marcel Mushyindashyaka, President of IBUKA USA, emphasised the broader significance of such recognition.
“This proclamation is deeply significant,” he said. “It affirms the truth of our history and honours the dignity of the victims. Public recognition by local and state institutions strengthens remembrance, counters genocide denial, and reinforces our collective responsibility to ensure that such crimes never happen again, anywhere in the world.”
Similarly, Caleb Uwagaba, President of the Rwandan community in Kentwood, said the proclamation reflects values that go beyond a single city.
“It shows solidarity with those who lost their lives and with survivors who continue to heal,” he said. “It also reminds us that remembrance must go hand in hand with unity, reconciliation, and advocacy for humanity. The lessons of 1994 are not only for Rwanda, they are for the world.”
Kentwood’s recognition follows similar actions in other parts of the United States. In 2025, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, issued a proclamation recognising the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi, signalling growing awareness and acknowledgement at the state and local levels.
City officials say the Kentwood proclamation serves not only as a tribute to victims and survivors but also as a call to action, urging continued education, remembrance, and a shared commitment to ensuring that such atrocities are never repeated.
The proclamation was issued by Mayor Stephen C. N. Kepley.The proclamation commemorates the lives lost during the 1994 atrocities in Rwanda and calls on residents of Kentwood and the wider West Michigan community to reflect on the lessons of the past.
President Cyril Ramaphosa officiated the ceremony at the Kinderle Monument in the Northern Cape province, where the remains, which had been taken to Europe and held in local museums and other institutions during the colonial era, were laid to rest following a years-long repatriation process involving South African authorities and overseas institutions.
The remains included six individuals repatriated from Scotland and others long held at Iziko Museums, formerly the South African Museum, since the early 20th century. Many were originally exhumed without consent between the late 1800s and early 1900s, during a period when the remains of indigenous people were collected, traded and studied in support of racist scientific theories.
“A dignified burial is but the least we can do as the democratic government to honor these, our countrymen and countrywomen, who were victims of a terrible past,” Ramaphosa said.
He described how indigenous communities were dispossessed of land and subjected to violence and exploitation under colonial rule, adding that “not even death would spare them from indignity.”
“Their remains were dug up from graves and sold to museums and medical institutions in Europe,” he said.
The reburial forms part of a broader national program led by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture to repatriate human remains and heritage objects taken during colonialism and apartheid.
“The return of our ancestors to their descendant communities is a vital act of restoration and restitution that goes beyond acknowledging the colonial legacy. It is also a manifestation of Ubuntu, a recognition of our common humanity,” Ramaphosa stressed.
“Today, as their remains are finally returned to the land from which they were taken, we restore the dignity that was so cruelly denied to them in life and even in death,” he said.
“They were not nobodies … They were our people,” he added.
Ramaphosa reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to restoring dignity to the victims of colonialism and apartheid, noting that the Constitution calls for healing the divisions of the past and advancing social justice.
“Our Constitution obliges us to advance restitution for all those who were the victims of colonial and apartheid atrocities,” he said.
Coffins are carried during the reburial of remains of dozens of Africans
In the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia, one person was killed, and five more were wounded when drones and missiles hit residential areas. Several apartment buildings, private homes, a shop, and an industrial facility were damaged, according to regional governor Ivan Fedorov, who shared photos showing fires and destruction.
“Russia launched a massive combined strike on Zaporizhzhia using drones and missiles,” Governor Ivan Fedorov said.
In the eastern Poltava region, two people died and 11 others were injured in similar attacks that struck homes and a hotel.
The strikes come shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Monday warned that intelligence reports showed Russia preparing a new, large‑scale offensive.
Russian drone, missile attack kills three in Ukraine.
Twagirumukiza’s statements come as the DRC government has repeatedly downplayed the FDLR’s strength, arguing that the group consists mainly of elderly fighters and poses little threat.
Last month, Patrick Muyaya, spokesperson for the DRC government, denied any cooperation between his country and the FDLR. He told journalists that Rwanda should not continually cite the FDLR issue, as many of its members are now located in areas controlled by the AFC/M23, which often attribute regional instability to Rwanda.
Twagirumukiza, however, challenges that view. He is currently completing reintegration training through the National Commission for Demobilisation and Reintegration (RDRC). On March 20, 2026, during a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, he recounted his return to Rwanda in October 2025 after realising that the forests of the DRC, where he had lived for 31 years, offered no future prospects.
A native of Kigali, Twagirumukiza explained that during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, he served in the former Rwandan Armed Forces (Ex-FAR) but fled to the DRC, like many others. In the Burungi camp in South Kivu, he underwent military training alongside both soldiers and civilians before joining the FDLR, which aimed to undermine Rwanda’s security.
He described the FDLR as a resilient organisation that continues to renew itself through recruitment, noting that many fighters are the children of former members.
“Those who claim the FDLR no longer exists are genocide deniers trying to weaken Rwanda,” he said. “The group has never disappeared. Even during my time in the DRC, we continued to train new soldiers, mostly young men. Today, they are still present, and the FDLR is reasserting itself.”
Twagirumukiza acknowledged that internal divisions have long affected the group. In 2016, a faction broke away to form a new group called CNRD. This group later merged into the MRCD alliance, led by Paul Rusesabagina, which included the military wing FLN. In 2018, the alliance carried out several attacks in Rwanda, killing nine civilians.
*Involvement in CNRD and FLN attacks*
He recounted that while he was part of the CNRD, he was not among those sent to carry out attacks. “I stayed behind, but we understood that people were killed in Rwanda,” he said.
Twagirumukiza left the forests in 2025 after realising that, aside from the promises of their leaders, continuing the fight would achieve nothing. He reflected on the group’s internal divisions and decided to return to Rwanda to rebuild his life.
“I left to find unity and help rebuild my country,” he said. “I urge others still in the group to go home. I will return and support rebuilding without harming anyone.”
Twagirumukiza also described the lasting impact of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. “What happened cannot happen again. Witnessing the genocide’s horror firsthand motivates me to prevent anyone from trying to repeat it,” he said.
He noted that many older fighters in the DRC remain unwilling to settle down or pursue normal lives, focusing solely on armed struggle. He praised Rwanda for the progress it has made since 1994.
The insecurity in the region dates back to 1994, when the Ex-FAR and Interahamwe forces murdered more than a million people in the Genocide against the Tutsi and fled to Zaire (now DRC). These groups were allowed to establish camps near Rwanda in Goma and Bukavu, which soon became military bases.
There, they recruited new fighters, trained them, and launched attacks back into Rwanda. This coalition later evolved into FDLR.
Today, it is estimated that between 7,000 and 10,000 FDLR fighters remain in the DRC, harboured by the Kinshasa government and collaborating with government forces in the fight against the M23 rebel group.
Emmanuel Twagirumukiza, a former FDLR fighter, says the militia group remains entrenched, continues to recruit youth, and has not abandoned its longstanding plan to destabilise Rwanda.
According to Lawrence Kanyuka, spokesperson for AFC/M23, the attacks occurred on the night of March 21–22, 2026, targeting densely populated areas, including the villages of Gakenke and Kalingi, as well as the centre of Minembwe.
“These indiscriminate attacks have caused deaths, triggered massive displacement, and inflicted significant destruction on local communities,” Kanyuka said in an official update on Sunday. “They mark a serious escalation aimed at annihilating entire communities.”
The AFC/M23 called on the Congolese people to bear witness to what it described as systematic, deliberate, and openly committed attacks against civilians, which have taken place in full view of all, while the international community remains silent.
The group emphasised that the continued targeting of civilian populations represents an intolerable situation requiring urgent attention.
Repeated ceasefire violations and ongoing hostilities have hampered efforts to stabilise the region, despite multiple declared ceasefires.
Lawrence Kanyuka, spokesperson for AFC/M23, said the attacks occurred on the night of March 21–22, 2026, targeting densely populated areas, including the villages of Gakenke and Kalingi, as well as the centre of Minembwe.
