The call was made during the opening of the 12th session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, under the theme “Turning the Tide: Transformative and Coordinated Actions for the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.”
Speaking at the event, Claver Gatete, executive secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa, said Africa’s progress toward the implementation of the SDGs, especially in water and sanitation, energy, and infrastructure, is slow and continues to worsen inequality across the continent.
“Despite progress in expanding water access systems, lack of safety, reliability, and quality continues to constrain health, productivity, and economic transformation across the continent. Gains in energy and infrastructure sectors also are not creating enough jobs and improving competitiveness,” Gatete said.
He said that domestic resource mobilization must be complemented by targeted efforts to attract private investment in Africa as the continent strives to address its infrastructure development gap through partnerships.
Selma Malika Haddadi, deputy chairperson of the AU Commission, said Africa has recorded notable progress in areas such as infrastructure development, regional integration, and digital transformation, particularly under flagship initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Haddadi, however, said the continent is facing several challenges, especially in financing sustainable development, job creation, climate resilience, and addressing inequalities within and between countries.
“With less than five years remaining to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, we must shift from incremental progress to transformational change. This requires stronger policy coherence between continental, regional, and national frameworks; increased investment in critical sectors such as water, energy, infrastructure, and sustainable cities; enhanced partnerships across governments, the private sector, civil society, and development partners,” she said.
Lok Bahadur Thapa, president of the UN Economic and Social Council, said that around 600 million people in Africa, which is nearly 43 percent of the population in the region, lack access to electricity, while many countries continue to face gaps in access to safe drinking water and other essential services.
“Africa faces a substantial financial gap of between 670 billion and 848 billion U.S. dollars annually, driven largely by rising debt vulnerabilities, fluctuations in foreign direct investment, low domestic resource mobilization, and sharply falling official development assistance,” he said, adding that Africa must focus on domestic resource mobilization to address its huge financing gap and achieve UN sustainable development agendas.
Claver Gatete, executive secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa, said Africa’s progress toward the implementation of the SDGs, especially in water and sanitation, energy, and infrastructure, is slow and continues to worsen inequality across the continent.
The RDB report published on Tuesday, April 28, indicates that the performance reflects resilient demand despite global uncertainties, supported by strong air travel activity and the continued diversification of tourism products.
Gorilla tourism remained the sector’s leading revenue contributor, increasing by 7 per cent to $248 million (Rwf 361.3 billion), further strengthening its position as Rwanda’s flagship high-value tourism product.
The visiting friends and relatives (VFR) segment recorded strong growth of 19 per cent, reaching $180 million (Rwf 262.2 billion), driven by increased regional travel and diaspora visits. Education-related travel also expanded by 17 per cent to $ 64 million (Rwf 93.2 billion), while business travel remained broadly stable at $112 million (Rwf 163.2 billion), the RDB report indicates.
Overall, tourism growth was largely underpinned by air travel revenues, which rose by 9 per cent to $594 million (Rwf 865.4 billion), reflecting improved connectivity and sustained international demand.
Visitor arrivals rise to 1.49 million
According to the RDB data, Rwanda welcomed 1.49 million visitors in 2025, up from 1.36 million in 2024, representing a 9 per cent increase in arrivals. The report attributes the growth mainly to air travel, with air arrivals rising by 23 per cent, while road arrivals increased by 5 per cent, highlighting Rwanda’s continued regional appeal.
Visitor inflows were led by East African Community (EAC) countries and the Democratic Republic of Congo, while arrivals from Europe, North America, Asia, and other African markets continued to expand. Business travel remained the largest segment of arrivals, alongside notable growth in health and education-related travel, reinforcing Rwanda’s positioning as a diversified, year-round destination.
National parks record growth and new attractions
RDB data shows that Rwanda’s national parks recorded 155,394 visits in 2025, a 3.2 per cent increase compared to 2024, supported by a 15 per cent rise in domestic visitation. Park revenues increased by 5.2 per cent to $40.8 million (Rwf 59.4 billion). Volcanoes National Park remained the leading revenue driver, generating $35.8 million (Rwf 52.2 billion), accounting for 87.7 per cent of total park revenues, the report states.
Nyungwe National Park recorded the fastest growth in visitation at 22.8 per cent, driven by new tourism products including a zipline and rope course, which attracted over 6,000 visitors within six months of launch, according to RDB.
Akagera National Park experienced a moderation in visitation following strong previous performance but continued to play a key role in Rwanda’s conservation and wildlife tourism offering, according to RDB.
Domestic tourism continues to expand
The new report indicates that domestic tourism revenues increased by 3.5 per cent to $821,093 (Rwf 1.2 billion) in 2025, while domestic park visits rose by 8.1 per cent to 59,270. Akagera National Park led domestic visitation with 32,932 visitors, followed by Nyungwe with 18,515 and Volcanoes National Park with 7,699 visitors. Gishwati–Mukura National Park continued to serve a niche domestic market.
On the revenue side, Volcanoes National Park generated the highest domestic tourism income at $306,263 (Rwf 446.2 million), followed by Akagera with $278,325 (Rwf 405.5 million) and Nyungwe with $234,337 (Rwf 341.4 million).
Rwanda also expanded its tourism offering through new investments, including Bisate Reserve in Volcanoes National Park, Magashi Peninsula in Akagera, and Munazi Eco Lodge in Nyungwe. Kigali’s hospitality sector also grew with new high-end hotels such as Mövenpick Hotel Kigali, The Pinnacle Kigali, and Zaria Court Kigali.
Tourists visit Akagera National Park. Rwanda’s tourism sector recorded steady growth in 2025, generating $685 million (about Rwf 997.9 billion) in revenue, a 6 per cent increase compared to 2024.Gorilla tourism remained the sector’s leading revenue contributor, increasing by 7 per cent to $248 million (Rwf 361.3 billion), further strengthening its position as Rwanda’s flagship high-value tourism product.
The commemoration brought together NCBA staff and leadership at the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gisozi, where they paid tribute to more than 250,000 victims laid to rest at the site. Gisozi serves not only as a place of remembrance, but also as a centre for learning.
Staff were guided through the memorial, reflecting on the events that led to 1994, the devastating loss of over one million lives, and the country’s journey of rebuilding through unity, accountability, and resilience. They also listened to a deeply moving testimony from a survivor, alongside a detailed narration of the events before, during, and after the Genocide against the Tutsi.
Speaking during the commemoration, Managing Director Maurice Toroitich emphasized the importance of remembrance as a shared responsibility across generations.
“We are part of a generation that must actively protect what this country has rebuilt—a generation that must reject division, not just in moments of crisis, but in the small, everyday interactions where respect, dignity, and unity are either upheld or eroded,” he said.
The history session was led by Maj (Rtd) Jean Marie Vianney Ruhamiriza, the bank’s Security Manager, who walked the team through Rwanda’s history—from the seeds of division sown before independence, to the organised planning and execution of the genocide, and the denial that persists even today.
“That is why ‘Never Again’ is not just a statement for today. It is a daily commitment to stand against anything or anyone that seeks to rewrite history, deny the genocide, or sow new seeds of division,” he noted.
Beyond the memorial visit, NCBA Bank Rwanda has committed to extending its commemoration through tangible support initiatives aimed at restoring dignity and strengthening resilience among survivors.
As in previous years, the bank will provide livestock to support sustainable livelihoods and economic independence for genocide survivors in Musanze and Rubavu.
Through continued support to survivors and a sustained commitment to unity, the NCBA remains dedicated to playing its part in safeguarding Rwanda’s progress and ensuring that the lessons of the past continue to guide the future.
The institution reaffirmed its dedication to safeguarding Rwanda’s progress and preserving the lessons of history.Employees paid tribute to more than 250,000 victims laid to rest at the Kigali Genocide Memorial.Staff were guided through historical reflections on the events leading to and following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.NCBA Managing Director Maurice Toroitich emphasized the importance of remembrance as a shared responsibility.NCBA Managing Director signing the guest book at Kigali Genocide Memorial.
The report, published on Tuesday, shows a significant increase from 612 projects recorded in 2024, with the new investments expected to generate more than 38,000 jobs. Real estate, manufacturing and mining accounted for the largest share of the registered investments, underlining continued investor confidence in Rwanda’s economic outlook.
Foreign private capital performance also remained strong. According to the 2025 Foreign Private Capital survey, Foreign Direct Investment inflows rose to $872.9 million (Rwf 1.27 trillion) in 2024, marking a 21.8 percent increase from $716.5 million (Rwf 1.04 trillion) recorded in 2023.
RDB said the combined performance demonstrates sustained confidence in Rwanda’s policy environment and its ability to support investors beyond promotion through implementation and service delivery.
Tourism remained one of the country’s strongest-performing sectors, with revenues reaching $685 million (Rwf 997.9 billion) in 2025, up from $647 million (Rwf 942.6 billion) in 2024, representing a 6 percent year-on-year increase.
Visitor arrivals also rose by 9 percent to 1.49 million, supported by Rwanda’s flagship gorilla trekking experiences and expanded tourism offerings across the country’s national parks.
The Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) segment generated $94.7 million (Rwf 137.9 billion), up from $84.8 million (Rwf 123.5 billion) in 2024, reflecting an 11 percent increase. The growth was driven by 165 international and regional events hosted in Rwanda during the year.
Among the major events were the UCI Road World Championships held in September, the first time the global cycling championship was hosted in Africa, alongside Move Afrika Kigali featuring John Legend, the Mobile World Congress, and Season 5 of the Basketball Africa League.
RDB said these events played a major role in boosting visitor arrivals, raising Rwanda’s international profile, and strengthening the country’s MICE ecosystem.
Rwanda’s export sector also remained resilient, with total export receipts reaching $3.6 billion, supported by steady performance in mining, agriculture and horticulture. Services exports increased by 2.7 percent year-on-year, while air cargo volumes rose by 2.4 percent to 6,257 tonnes from 6,113 tonnes in 2024.
The country also continued to leverage global sports partnerships under the Visit Rwanda campaign to strengthen international visibility and attract high-value tourism and investment.
In 2025, Rwanda renewed its partnership with Paris Saint-Germain until 2028 and signed a new three-year deal with Atlético de Madrid running through 2028.
It also expanded long-term sponsorship agreements with the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Rams, both extending through 2030.
These partnerships are expected to increase Rwanda’s global exposure, attract more high-value visitors and investors, and support further growth in tourism and the MICE segment.
The report also highlighted Rwanda’s strong performance in global rankings, including the World Bank B-READY Report, where the country achieved Africa’s highest score on regulatory framework performance.
Rwanda also maintained its position as one of Sub-Saharan Africa’s top performers in the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index.
To improve the business environment, RDB said it continued expanding the One Stop Centre and digitising services through a unified platform expected to provide more efficient and transparent access to over 400 services delivered by more than 20 institutions.
A real-time performance monitoring system was also introduced to improve service delivery in areas such as business registration and investment facilitation.
Additionally, Rwanda established the National Lottery and Gambling Commission under RDB’s mandate to regulate the gambling sector and strengthen governance, compliance and oversight.
Commenting on the results, RDB Chief Executive Officer Jean-Guy Afrika said the performance reflects continued progress in supporting Rwanda’s economic fundamentals.
“The 2025 performance reflects continued progress in supporting Rwanda’s economic fundamentals and delivering on our priorities across investment, exports, tourism and service delivery. We remain focused on building a predictable and competitive environment that enables private sector growth and long-term development,” he said.
RDB said it will continue implementing the Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) and its 2025–2030 strategy, with a focus on expanding investment, strengthening exports, promoting high-value tourism and advancing innovation.
Rwanda registered $2.62 billion (approximately Rwf 3.8 trillion) in investments across 799 projects in 2025, reflecting stronger economic momentum driven by growth in investment, tourism, exports and business reforms, according to the latest annual report released by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB).
The attack bore similarities to the Nyange school massacre of March 19, 1997. Passengers were ordered to separate themselves along ethnic lines—Hutu on one side and Tutsi on the other—but they refused, insisting that they were all Rwandans.
The assailants, armed with guns and traditional weapons, first shot at the bus tires, forcing it to stop. They then boarded and again demanded that passengers divide themselves. In unison, the victims responded, “We are Rwandans.”
The attackers opened fire. Even after the shooting, they repeated their demand, but the response remained the same. Enraged, they poured petrol over the bus, which was carrying about 74 people, and set it ablaze. Some victims died inside the burning vehicle, while others who tried to escape were killed outside. Only a few survived.
The incident occurred in Gitsimbi, then part of Nyamyumba Commune, now Nyamyumba Sector in Rubavu District, early in the morning as workers were heading to their jobs.
At the time, Rwanda’s current ambassador to Indonesia, Sheikh Abdul Karim Harerimana, was serving as Minister of Internal Security. In an interview with IGIHE, he recounted how he learned of the attack and the atmosphere it created in the former Gisenyi Prefecture.
He said he was informed of the attack that same morning by the then-prefect of Gisenyi. Shortly after gunfire was heard, Rwanda’s security forces were deployed to respond.
“The army was immediately alerted and intervened,” he recalled. “The prefect was on the ground and informed them. I set off to follow up on what had happened, assess the situation, and comfort the population.”
While on his way to the scene, he instructed the prefect to coordinate with the military to confront the attackers and assist victims.
At the time, infiltrator attacks were frequent in several regions, including Ruhengeri, Kigali Ngari, and Byumba, and occasionally reached Gitarama. Harerimana noted that although some planned attacks were thwarted thanks to intelligence, others occurred without prior warning.
He explained that in this particular case, authorities had no prior intelligence, partly because infiltrators from groups such as PALIR and ALIR had local collaborators, especially in Gisenyi, who provided them with information.
“We did not know about it in advance,” he said. “Had we known, we would have prevented it, as we often did. There were many collaborators in Gisenyi who worked closely with these groups and shared information about our forces.”
However, he noted that the brutality of the attack became a turning point. Residents who had previously cooperated with infiltrators were shocked by the violence and began to distance themselves, eventually providing information to authorities.
“People saw with their own eyes what had happened,” he said. “The victims were ordinary residents of Gisenyi. That is when people realized that those they had been hiding were actually the ones responsible for such atrocities.”
Following the attack, cooperation between citizens and security institutions improved, which contributed to efforts to dismantle infiltrator networks.
Harerimana described the scene upon arrival as tense and frightening. Fighting was still ongoing, with security forces exchanging fire with the attackers while some people tried to extinguish the burning bus.
Civilians watched in fear, some taking cover as the confrontation unfolded. He noted that several infiltrators were killed, some captured alive, while others managed to escape.
He recalled addressing residents afterward, reassuring them that the government’s responsibility was to protect them and condemning those responsible for the violence.
“We told them that those causing insecurity were known—the infiltrators,” he said. “We visited the site, the town, and hospitals, and also held a meeting in Gisenyi. Gradually, confidence began to return.”
He also revealed that before this shift, some residents used coded language and indirect communication to collaborate with infiltrators, making it difficult for authorities to gather intelligence.
According to Harerimana, the attack illustrated how extremist agendas could drive perpetrators to commit acts of violence without regard for human life, believing they could blame the government.
He explained that the attackers targeted known residents with the intention of spreading fear and undermining confidence in state protection, while also attempting to create the impression that the government was responsible.
He added that individuals captured during such operations were not mistreated. Instead, they were sensitized and, in some cases, reintegrated, with some later joining national security forces.
At the time, Paul Kagame — then Vice President and Minister of Defence —had instructed that captured fighters be treated humanely and not harmed, a directive that guided how they were handled after arrest.
Sheikh Abdul Karim Harerimana was the Minister of Internal Security at the time of the attack.The infiltrators set fire to a bus carrying Bralirwa workers, burning it down and killing many passengers.A memorial has been established at the site where the attack took place.
The fund, named the Rwanda SME Growth Fund, is a joint initiative between the Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) and Enko Capital. It was officially unveiled in Kigali on April 27, 2026, following the signing of a partnership agreement between the two institutions.
Under this arrangement, RSSB will provide the capital, while Enko Capital will be responsible for evaluating investment proposals and managing the fund’s portfolio.
The fund begins with an initial capital of $30 million (over Rwf 43 billion), with plans to expand to $100 million in the coming years. In addition to this investment, RSSB has set aside an extra Rwf 3 billion to support operational activities, including deploying skilled professionals to assist companies receiving funding.
This additional support is intended to help businesses address capacity gaps—for instance, by enabling them to recruit essential staff needed during expansion phases.
Unlike traditional financing mechanisms, the Rwanda SME Growth Fund will not offer grants or loans. Instead, it will take equity stakes in eligible businesses. Companies with viable and scalable projects will receive capital in exchange for a shareholding structure, where part of the ownership is transferred to the fund for a defined period of between five and ten years.
The Director General of RSSB, Rugemanshuro Regis, said the fund is designed to accelerate the growth of private SMEs. He noted that RSSB is also seeking additional partners to help raise the fund’s total value to $100 million.
He explained that many local industries operate below capacity, often between 40% and 50%, despite producing goods in high demand. He attributed this to the high cost and limited accessibility of bank loans, which the fund aims to address.
According to him, many entrepreneurs lack sufficient collateral to meet bank requirements, making it difficult to secure financing. As a result, businesses remain under-capitalized, limiting their production capacity and contributing to increased imports.
Businesses seeking funding will be required to submit detailed information about their operations and investment needs to Enko Capital.
Each company will be eligible to receive between $500,000 and $5 million from the fund.
RSSB indicated that after a period of five to ten years, the fund will exit its investment by selling its shares either back to the company or to other investors, depending on the growth achieved.
Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Enko Capital, Cyrille Nkontichou, emphasized that access to affordable capital remains a major challenge for SMEs, particularly due to high borrowing costs and strict lending conditions.
He noted that many SMEs lack collateral and require longer repayment periods, which often do not align with the terms offered by financial institutions. In this context, the Rwanda SME Growth Fund presents a more flexible and sustainable financing solution.
Nkontichou added that Enko Capital already operates in several African countries, managing assets worth approximately $1.7 billion. He described the firm’s expansion into Rwanda as a strategic opportunity, not only to implement this fund but also to tap into the country’s growing investment landscape.
According to the Ministry of Trade and Industry, SMEs account for 98% of all businesses in Rwanda and employ around 2.5 million people, highlighting their critical role in the country’s economy.
The fund was officially unveiled in Kigali on April 27, 2026, following the signing of a partnership agreement between the two institutions. The fund was unveiled in Kigali through a partnership between RSSB and Enko Capital.The Director General of RSSB, Rugemanshuro Regis, said the fund is designed to accelerate the growth of private SMEs.Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Enko Capital, Cyrille Nkontichou, emphasized that access to affordable capital remains a major challenge for SMEs, particularly due to high borrowing costs and strict lending conditions.
The newly approved medicine, artemether-lumefantrine, is tailored for babies weighing between two and five kilograms. Previously, infants diagnosed with malaria were typically treated with drugs formulated for older children, creating challenges in achieving accurate dosing and increasing the risk of side effects.
WHO’s approval, announced on April 24, confirms that the treatment meets international standards for safety and effectiveness. The decision also clears the way for governments and health agencies to procure and distribute the drug more widely, potentially improving access to life-saving care.
Health experts say the move could help close a long-standing treatment gap, particularly in Africa, where an estimated 30 million babies are born each year in malaria-endemic regions.
Speaking on the development, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said recent advances are helping to shift the trajectory of the global malaria fight. He highlighted progress in vaccines, diagnostics, mosquito control tools and medicines, including those adapted for the youngest patients.
“For centuries, malaria has stolen children from their parents, and health, wealth and hope from communities,” he said. “But today, the story is changing. New vaccines, diagnostic tests, next-generation mosquito nets and effective medicines are helping to turn the tide.”
In addition to the new treatment, WHO has approved three rapid diagnostic tests aimed at improving malaria detection. Many existing tests identify a protein known as HRP2, but some malaria parasites have evolved to stop producing it, making infections harder to detect.
This challenge has been reported in parts of eastern Africa, including Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Djibouti, where gaps in diagnosis have led to missed cases. The newly approved tests target a different protein, pf-LDH, which is less prone to change.
Public health experts believe this will significantly improve diagnostic accuracy in regions where current testing methods are failing. WHO recommends that countries switch to the new tests if more than five percent of malaria cases go undetected.
In Rwanda, the arrival of infant-specific treatments coincides with a period of intensified surveillance. According to recent data from the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), malaria incidence in the country rose to 76 cases per 1,000 people in the 2024/25 fiscal year, up from 45 the previous year. Total malaria cases reached 1,131,314 during that peak, though early 2026 reports show a promising dip toward 928,000 cases.
Despite these advances, malaria remains a major global health challenge. According to WHO’s latest World Malaria Report, there were approximately 282 million cases and 610,000 deaths in 2024, an increase of about 9 million cases compared to the previous year.
While some countries have made notable progress in reducing or eliminating the disease, efforts have slowed in many regions due to factors such as drug and insecticide resistance, weak diagnostic systems and declining funding.
The approval of a newborn-specific treatment is seen as a critical step in addressing these challenges and strengthening the global response to malaria, particularly among those most at risk.
The newly approved medicine, artemether-lumefantrine, is tailored for babies weighing between two and five kilograms. Previously, infants diagnosed with malaria were typically treated with drugs formulated for older children, creating challenges in achieving accurate dosing and increasing the risk of side effects.
They made the call during the eighth African Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Forum, held by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) from Sunday to Monday in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa.
Ugandan Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Monica Musenero Masanza stressed the need for concerted continental efforts on STI as a central pillar to Africa’s socio-economic transformation, industrialization, value addition, and job creation.
“There is no question that STI is an essential ingredient for our nations and continent to move forward,” said Masanza. “We need to work jointly to scale practical projects. Africa does not lack ideas and strategies. Africa lacks execution at scale.”
The forum brought together African ministers responsible for STI, representatives of the African Union and various United Nations agencies, as well as private sector leaders and academia.
Noting that Africa continues to face significant digital and innovation gaps despite the opportunities presented by emerging technologies, UNECA Executive Secretary Claver Gatete emphasized that Africa must act with “urgency, coordination and ambition” to harness STI as drivers of economic transformation, inclusion and sustainable development.
“For Africa, the margin for delay has disappeared. The cost of inaction is rising. The choices we make today will determine whether we catch the next wave of global transformation, or miss it entirely,” Gatete said.
Gatete outlined five strategic priorities for Africa to turn innovation into a broad-based transformation, which include aligning STI with Africa’s economic transformation agenda, accelerating investment in digital public infrastructure, building future-ready skills at scale, deepening regional and continental coordination, as well as securing reliable, affordable and sustainable energy to power Africa’s digital transformation.
The forum brought together African ministers responsible for STI, representatives of the African Union and various United Nations agencies, as well as private sector leaders and academia.
The event brought together, among others, the Acting Mayor of Namur, Charlotte Bazlaire, Claire Kayirangwa, representative of Ibuka-Memory and Justice-Belgium, Gakuba Ernest, President of the Rwandan diaspora in Belgium, as well as Karugarama Lionel, President of the Rwandan diaspora section in Namur, who also coordinated the ceremony.
The President of “Les Territoires de la Mémoire,” Michaël Bisschops, who came from the Liège region, also took part in the commemoration, alongside representatives of various associations active in Belgium.
The commemoration held in Namur is part of a series of similar events organized in several cities, including Brussels, Liège, and Bruges.
The event began at the memorial dedicated to the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi, located in front of the Namur Courthouse. The memorial was relocated from the MusAfrica museum to make it more visible to the public, particularly in front of the Courthouse, thus allowing for better transmission of memory.
Speaking to IGIHE, the Acting Mayor of Namur, Charlotte Bazlaire honored victims of the genocide and called for collective efforts to prevent reoccurrence.
“It is an honor to be here representing the City of Namur during this 32nd commemoration. I am thinking of all those who were affected, in one way or another, by this tragedy.
“Thirty-two years later, the wounds are still present. I am here to remind people that in 1994, extreme brutality took place in Rwanda, and to raise awareness in today’s world about the importance of preventing the divisions that can lead to genocide,” she said.
Bazlaire added that her participation reflects a duty of remembrance, aimed at preventing any trivialization or forgetting of these tragic events.
She also welcomed the relocation of the memorial in front of the Courthouse, highlighting the symbolic importance of its visible location.
Claire Kayirangwa, representative of Ibuka-Memory and Justice-Belgium, thanked the organizers and participants, including friends of Rwanda.
“Your presence shows your commitment to ensuring that this history is never forgotten and that such a tragedy never happens again anywhere in the world. You have also come to support survivors and honor the memory of their loved ones,” she noted.
Speaking at the event, Michaël Bisschops, President of “Les Territoires de la Mémoire,” stressed that remaining silent in the face of such crimes is equivalent to a second killing.
“Keeping silent in the face of such barbarity is like killing a second time, as it allows it to happen again. Genocide does not begin with weapons, but with words that dehumanize people. Today is therefore a day to speak out, because we do not have the right to remain silent,” he said.
He emphasized that his presence from Liège reflected his commitment to preserving this memory and supporting survivors.
Akoeley Bernard, advisor at the CPAS of Namur, said she was only seven years old in 1994 and learned about these events through television.
“I could not understand how a human being could commit such acts. I felt a lot of anger and sadness, wondering why journalists were showing these images without being able to save the victims.”
She added that she later realized it was not only the media, but the entire world that had abandoned the Tutsi.
Akoeley also stressed that this tragedy is part of Belgium’s history, due to divisions inherited from the colonial period that contributed to the genocide.
Dorothée Klein, President of the CPAS of Namur, stressed the importance of the commemoration held in the city of Namur to honor victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
She noted that the gathering served as a moment to honor the memory of more than one million people who were killed, explaining that entire families were destroyed while others were displaced and scattered across the world. According to her, such acts of remembrance are essential to ensure that similar tragedies are never repeated.
Klein emphasized that even though the events took place far from Belgium, it remains important for communities in Namur to remember and share testimonies. She underlined that silence is not an option in the face of such crimes, as forgetting would amount to a second injustice against the victims.
“Although words fall short in the face of such atrocities, silence is not an option,” she said. “We must continue to speak and to remember, so that the victims are not lost to oblivion a second time.”
Klein further warned that genocide does not happen suddenly, but develops gradually when discrimination becomes normalized and tolerated.
She called for continued vigilance, stressing that societies must actively resist all forms of exclusion and dehumanization to prevent history from repeating itself.
The event also featured testimony from Claire Ruyuki, a survivor of the genocide, who spoke about the loss of her family members and shared a letter her father had written to her, encouraging her to continue her education and remain strong.
“Today, I am alive and I have children. They are my greatest treasure. Testifying is essential,” she said.
The day continued with an evening commemoration, including the screening of a testimony about the life of a genocide survivor, Providence Rwayitare, followed by a discussion with psychologists Annick Umutoni Rwampungu and Jacqueline Rwagatare.
Finally, a remembrance vigil led by Miheto Tatien allowed participants to view photos of genocide victims and reflect on their lives to honor their memory.
The next commemorations in the coming weeks will take place in Louvain-la-Neuve, Mons, Antwerp, Tournai, Charleroi and Leuven.
The ceremony in Namur began at the memorial dedicated to the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi, located in front of the Namur Courthouse (Palais de Justice de Namur), where the remembrance walk known as the “torchlight march” (« marche aux flambeaux ») also started.The event featured a commemorative evening during which a short film depicting the life of a survivor of the Genocide against the Tutsi, Rwayitare Providence, was screened.Umutoni Rwampungu Annick also attended the eventJacqueline Rwagatare also took part in commemoration talks. The Acting Mayor of the City of Namur, Charlotte Bazlaire, speaking to IGIHE in front of the Namur Courthouse, where a memorial dedicated to the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda is located.Claire Kayirangwa, representing Ibuka–Memory and Justice Belgium, and Gakuba Ernest, head of the Rwandan diaspora in Belgium, lay wreaths at the memorial in Namur.Michaël Bisschops, president of Les Territoires de la Mémoire, and Miheto Tatien pay tribute to the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.The memorial dedicated to the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi is located in front of the Namur Courthouse.Karugarama Lionel, head of the Rwandan diaspora section in Namur, led the ceremony.Akoeley Bernard, advisor at the CPAS of the City of Namur, paid tribute to the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.The children, represented by one of their peers, paid tribute to the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi.Claire Ruyuki, a survivor of the Genocide against the Tutsi shared her testimony. Marie-Emilie Gaju and her father, Jean-François Cahay, performed commemorative songs during the ceremony honoring the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Namur.Karugarama Lionel, head of the Rwandan diaspora section in Namur, led the ceremony.Claire Kayirangwa, representing Ibuka–Memory and Justice Belgium, and Gakuba Ernest, head of the Rwandan diaspora in Belgium, lay wreaths at the memorial in Namur.Michaël Bisschops, president of Les Territoires de la Mémoire, and Miheto Tatien pay tribute to the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.Akoeley Bernard, advisor at the CPAS of the City of Namur, paid tribute to the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.The children, represented by one of their peers, paid tribute to the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi.The memorial dedicated to the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi is located in front of the Namur Courthouse.The Acting Mayor of the City of Namur, Charlotte Bazlaire, speaking to IGIHE in front of the Namur Courthouse, where a memorial dedicated to the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda is located.
On April 26, 2026, during the commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi in former Commune Ntongwe (current Ruhango District and neighboring areas), survivors welcomed the completion of the center, saying it will help provide a clearer understanding of what happened in the area.
They noted that the building will highlight the brutality of the killings, how Tutsi in the region attempted to defend themselves, how the Genocide was stopped, and how survivors have since rebuilt their lives.
For survivors, the memories remain deeply painful. Innocent Munyawera, who was the only survivor in a family of ten, said the violence in the area was so extreme that it made him question humanity itself. Speaking about events in Kinazi, he referred to accounts that some perpetrators from Burundi committed extreme acts of brutality, including killing victims and eating their hearts.
“When we talk about Kinazi, we refer to what happened here, including the fact that Tutsi were killed and their hearts were eaten by some Burundians,” he said. “This is part of our history. But those who did this, even if they appeared human outwardly, were not human in their actions.”
Munyawera called for the names of all individuals involved in the killings, whether prosecuted or not, to be included in the “Dark Room,” including Burundians who participated in the violence.
He said: “We have many Interahamwe militia who betrayed us, and we also have Burundians who betrayed us. Some were tried, others were not, but we feel that in this Dark Room, their names should be included because their hearts were dark. It should be as if they are confined there for a certain time because of what they did.”
Representatives of genocide survivors association in the area confirmed that the “Dark Room” will include names and photographs of individuals identified as having played major roles in the killings, with the aim of using the space for education, especially for younger generations.
They said the section will include Kagabo Charles, former mayor of Ntongwe Commune; Burundian refugees; sector leaders from the 13 sectors that made up the commune; and Nsabimana Jacques, also known as “Pirato,” who led the CDR party in Ntongwe.
It will also include Placide Koloni, former sub-prefect of Ruhango; soldiers including Hitabatuma Rukeragabiro; Kanyandekwe Zephanie, a councilor of Kareba Sector; Kageruka Aristarque; Ntintanguranwa; and traders Munyentama Simon and his brother Nahayo Florent.
Speaking about Nsabimana Jacques, survivors recalled his role in preparations for the Genocide: “We have previously spoken about Nsabimana Jacques during a commemoration evening, where it was discussed that a pit near CND was dug as part of genocide preparations. He was the one who instructed that it be dug while he was head of Rutabo A school, claiming it was a school latrine. But in reality, it was part of genocide preparation. He had it dug around 1992, and it later became a place where our people were dumped.”
“All those perpetrators will be placed in this Dark Room. They will be confined there,” Munyurangabo added.
He further explained that although some Burundians who came from Ntega and Marangara were considered refugees and stayed in Nyagahama camp, their presence in the area was not related to asylum, but part of what he described as a coordinated plan under the government of Juvénal Habyarimana to implement the Genocide against the Tutsi.
“The Burundians came and carried out population surveys, identifying where Tutsi lived. They set up different roadblocks and gradually began targeting people until the Genocide plan was fully put into action.”
The genocide history center is part of the wider Ruhango Genocide Memorial, where the remains of 63,293 victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi are buried. On April 26, 35 recently retrieved remains were given a dignified burial, as survivors renewed calls for continued efforts to locate and properly bury all remaining victims.
This building has a lower section known as the “Dark Room,” where records of key perpetrators involved in the Genocide against the Tutsi will be placed.The Genocide against the Tutsi history center is located at Ruhango Genocide Memorial.
