The commemoration event held yesterday was organized by Rwanda’s embassy in Tanzania in partnership with the United Nations.
It was characterized by a walk to remember of 1.7 km that started form Mwanza heading for Mwenge where commemoration talks took place.
It was attended by people from different walks including Tanzania’s Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports who was the guest of honor, envoys representing their countries to Tanzania, dignitaries, Rwandans and their friends form different regions of Tanzania.
Rwanda’s and Tanzania national hymns were sung at the beginning of the ceremony, followed by the speech of Rwanda’s envoy to Tanzania, prayers, lighting the flame of hope, and observing a moment of silence in honor of genocide victims.
Two documentaries with witnesses of genocide survivors were watched and gave the floor to poems, songs with remembrance message.
The head of diplomatic corps and ambassador of Comores to Tanzania, and Dr. Ahamada Elbadaoui Mohamed Fakihi expressed solidarity with Rwandans on behalf of his fellows and called for concerted efforts to fight and prevent reoccurrence of genocide across the world.
Rwanda’s ambassador to Tanzania, Eugene Kayihura lauded participants of the event especially the representative of the United Nations in Tanzania for advancing milestone and efforts valuing remembrance activities and joining Rwandans for to join Rwandans for the commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
He also commended Tanzania for participating in commemoration events in Rwanda represented by Tanzania’s Prime Minister Kasimu Majaliwa and former president Benjamin Mkapa
Tanzania’s Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sport, Dr. Harrison Mwakyembe said the event is an opportunity to think about how to shape a better future free of heinous crimes.
This event was hosted by the Embassy of Rwanda in Washington D.C. and was widely attended by members of the Diplomatic Corps, various Defense Attachés, representatives of Think Tanks in the Greater Washington area, friends of Rwanda, and the Rwandan community members.
The wide array of topics covered by speakers of the day were “Upholding the Memory of Genocide” by Ms. Zilfa Irakoze, Rwandan Youth Representative; “Origin of the Genocide Against the Tutsi, Confronting Revisionism” by Dr. Jean Pierre Karegeye, a Visiting International Scholar, Dickinson College; “Personal Experience During the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi” by Ms. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Senior Counselor, Albright Stonebridge Group; “25 Years of Reconstruction, Progress and Future Prospects” by Dr. Margee Ensign, President, Dickinson College and “The Role of Writers In Responding To The Genocide Against the Tutsi” by Dr. Boubacar Boris Diop, Award-Winning Journalist & Novelist.
This year’s commemoration focuses on the call to the new generation to uphold the legacy of strength, resilience, and unity of all Rwandans.
During the ceremony, Professor Mathilde Mukantabana, Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda to the United States, passed on the remembrance flame, a symbol of remembrance, resilience, and courage, to young Rwandans who were present at the event.
“The people of the United States of America join their Rwandan friends—and, indeed, all men and women of good will—in recalling the tragic events that unfolded over the course of the one hundred days that followed. We remember the hundreds of thousands of Rwandans who lost their lives, the men, women, and children systematically slaughtered—in many cases by their own neighbors—because of a genocidal regime’s organized and intentional campaign of violence against the Tutsi population,” said Ambassador Mukantabana
Various speakers expressed their regard for what Rwanda has accomplished in the last 25 years post-genocide.
U.S. Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region of Africa, Dr. J. Peter Pham who delivered official remarks from the Department of State, pointed out several markers of unprecedented developments in Education, health, security, and women empowerment.
“The people of the United States of America join their Rwandan friends—and, indeed, all men and women of good will—in recalling the tragic events that unfolded over the course of the one hundred days that followed. We remember the hundreds of thousands of Rwandans who lost their lives, the men, women, and children systematically slaughtered—in many cases by their own neighbors—because of a genocidal regime’s organized and intentional campaign of violence against the Tutsi population,” said Dr. Peter Pham
Dr. J. Peter Pham further stressed that the Rwandan people and government, under President Paul Kagame’s leadership is serving as an example to many African nations, and beyond, of what accountability and dedication to excellence can lead to. “The indomitable will of the Rwandan people proved the world wrong, “said Dr. Pham as he recalled the projections many made on the country 25 years ago.
Dr. Margee Ensign, a long-time friend of Rwanda who has closely followed the development of Rwanda, shared her insight on how the country was empowered.
“Rwanda is a country with vision, with honest and capable leaders, focused on the future, developing new models of development, dealing with its history, caring for survivors, and empowering hope,” said Dr. Ensign.
Ms. Zilfa Irakoze, a young Rwandan currently pursuing her studies in the U.S. delivered remarks offering the perspective of young people in upholding the memory of Genocide and Fighting Genocide Denial.
“We are the present and the future of Rwanda; it is required of us to understand our history because it is for us to make sure we uphold the memory of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, today and in the future, everywhere we are so that Never Again may be a reality. We have the responsibility to fight denial and revisionism. This story is ours to tell,” said Ms. Irakoze as she cautioned the youth.
Ms. Jeanne Celestine Lakin, a survivor of the 1994 genocide gave her first account story of what she experienced during the genocide at the age of nine, delivering a riveting, heartbreaking, yet inspiring account of her story of survival and how she continues to lead a life that seeks to tell the truth about what happened during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. As she concluded her testimony she left those present with the following: “My parents and siblings were killed, I was raped, I was homeless, I was broken, and suffering from PTSD. In the wake of the genocide, I had a choice to make. I chose love, compassion, and giving. I chose forgiveness too because it was also about letting go of a weight that was not mine to carry. Forgiveness is as much for the perpetrator as it is for the victim.”
Ms. Lakin’s testimony was followed by a Minute of Silence to honor the lives of the victims, and a candle-lighting ceremony to symbolize hope for the future and the eternal memory of those who passed.
In her keynote address, Ambassador Mathilde Mukantabana, Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda to the U.S. thanked those who attended for standing with Rwanda on this solemn occasion and stressed the importance of remembrance. “We remember, not to dwell on the past, but to inform the future. By remembering with clear-eyed honesty what happened in the lead-up to, and during the genocide, we lay the groundwork for a sustainable recovery. This is the foundational role of memory in our national history,” said Ambassador Mukantabana.
The event was brought to a closing with a sendoff blessing and participants proceeded to a Night Vigil that was organized at the Chancery.
Both countries have existing vibrant relationships in different areas. Last year in November, President Paul Kagame paid a two-day working visit in Qatar where he held talks with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
They discussed expanding economic cooperation. They also witnessed the signing of three agreements between Rwanda and Qatar focusing on air transport services, promoting joint investment and trade among others.
In May 2017, Rwanda and Qatar signed diplomatic cooperation. Qatar Airways conducts flights connecting Doha and Kigali among other destinations.
Dr. Hamad, 71, was among other guests who joined Rwanda to commemorate and pay homage to over 1 million innocent victims killed during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
Other guests at the launch of commemoration activities include Congo Brazzaville President Denis Sassou-Nguesso; Niger president Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger, Djibouti President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, Tchad president Idriss Déby Itno; Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed; Belgium Prime Minister Charles Michel, The Governor of Canada Julie Payette; Nigeria Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo; African Union Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat among others.
The event which took place on this last Saturday, at Minimex’s HQ, saw the visit of the British Minister for African Affairs, Harriet Baldwin, with the Rwandan Minister of Agriculture, Géraldine Mukeshimana.
The two ministers were joined by Chris Isaac, Director of the British AgDevCo Fund, a fund, supported by the UK Aid Agency UK Aid, who in turn, invested $3 million in Minimex, for the company to restructure its business and reach new heights in production.
“We appreciate the funding given to Minimex. With this fund, the plant will be able to increase its production, which will contribute to more food security for Rwandans,” said Minister Géraldine Mukeshimana.
“We highly appreciate the quality of Minimex products, which show its commitment to meeting the required standards in the production chain,” added the Minister, inviting other corn flour producers to follow the example of Minimex.
British Minister for African Affairs, Harriet Baldwin, and Minimex’s guest of honor, also praised Minimex’s funding by AgDevCo.
“UK Aid (British Aid Department) has established a stronger partnership with AgDevCo. UK Aid is proud to see AgDevCo making its third investment in Rwanda with MINIMEX, “said Minister Harriet, referring to the fact that AgDevCo also provided $ 1 million in funding to Kigali Farms, which specializes in mushroom base and $ 1.5 million to UZIMA, another local chicken and egg company.
“We are committed to supporting the efforts of food companies. If they show sufficient financial health, they will attract other businessmen and investments in the sector, “said AgDevCo CEO Chris, pledging to invest more than $ 10 million in this business for next ten years.
“We are here for a long time and we will continue expanding to meet Rwandans’ food,” he said, proud of the economic health of this corn flour plant that began in 2002 with a capital of 500 million francs and which, as it acquired new shareholders including MMI (Military Medical Insurance) and the BRD (Rwanda Development Bank), grew to see his business and his stature reach a capital of 6 billion francs.
“The key to the success of all this is just having a patriotic spirit. We must know and want to meet the basic needs of citizens. Food is one. We offer fortified products. We are very meticulous about the process of manufacturing our products to meet international consumer standards, “said Félicien Mutalikanwa, the company’s main shareholder and CEO.
“Our products are scientifically verified. They can be a bit expensive on the market, which is understandable because the flour we produce is fortified to meet the health needs of our consumers. Said Mutalikanwa.
Minimex Ltd is a Maize processing plant located on the Kigali-Kabuga road. It produces over 144 tons of corn flour per day, i.e, 6 tons per hour, according to Moise Ndayisenga, the Quality Control Officer of the Factory. The current production of this plant is up to 40,000 tons of flour per year. It should be noted that the plant produces a livestock feed (BRAN).
Representatives of Ashesi University are in Rwanda since Friday to meet interested applicants and to assess the progress of alumnus in Rwanda.
Ashesi University was founded in 2002 by Patrick Awuah, an expert and entrepreneur from the USA with Ghanaian origin.
Araba Botchway, director of Admissions and Financial Aid at Ashesi University said the university is unique as it integrates courses with leadership skills.
He explained that individual intellectual capacity, self-determination established screening examination are among considerations to admit candidates.
“There are some students having no projections of what they can do. When you talk to them you discover hidden potential they didn’t know,” said Botchway.
He unveiled that the university acquaints students with moral values and entrepreneurial skills.
“You know that our continent has a large number of unemployed people. 94% of graduates at our university within four years are employed; while 96% of graduates in the previous two years also have jobs. This gives us confidence and pride that our investment is meeting goals,” said Botchway.
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Araba Botchway explained that graduates from this university have been getting employed worldwide in giant corporate firms like Microsoft, Google and American Bank among others.
“Giant corporates usually come to recruit employees at our university. This means our students are not solely meant to work on this continent but can compete at the international labor market,” he said.
On the support of MasterCard Foundation, Ashesi has been paying tuition fees for vulnerable brighter students on the African continent since 2012.
Talking to IGIHE; Patrick Ndabarasa Tumusime highlighted that he is among five Rwandans who graduated at the university in 2018 and have been already hired. The latter joined the university for a course in Finance and Administration after completing secondary education at Lycee de Kigali in 2014.
“After applying to study at Ashesi and passing the entrance exam, I was admitted at the university. From my experience, it is unique for its competent education sharpening skills needed in the labor market. Two Rwandans we went together with have been hired; One is in charge of human resource at Red Cross, and I work at RwandAir while the 5th one continued for a Masters at Carnegie Mellon University. ” he said.
Ashesi began with 30 students but currently has 1008 students from over 20 countries.
For more details on application and registration visit: [www.ashesi.edu.gh->www.ashesi.edu.gh]
During their visit, Airtel Rwanda cleared children’s bills to a total of RWF 3,000,000 and promised to continue supporting Rwandans who are in need. The visit was highlighted by Airtel staff interacting with children and sharing stories.
Speaking during the visit, Airtel Rwanda Managing Director, Mr. Amit Chawla commended the great work that the hospital is doing to provide health services to all Rwandans.
“We would like to commend the work that is being done by all the medical personnel and other staff members at CHUK to ensure that patients are given the utmost treatment on their journey to recovery. As Airtel we believe that supporting people in our communities is very important and we hope this token we have offered will contribute to this support” Amit said.
In a similar light, Mr. Amit highlighted to patients and parents to embrace insurance policies such as Mitweri and Ingoboka Cash.
“These services have been proven to relieve the pressure associated with the costs of medical treatment across the country” he stated.
Speaking on behalf of CHUK, Dr. Annette Uwizera, the Director of Allied Services applauded Airtel Rwanda’s support and said; “We are grateful for the assistance that Airtel Rwanda has extended to our patients who were in need. We always appreciate any form of assistance that is given to our patients.”
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.
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.
