A Foreign Ministry statement said that Neguise was thrown out after member states refused to participate alongside him in the conference.
The ministry also condemned statements made by Mahmoud Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, during the event.
“It is outrageous that at an event commemorating the victims of the Tutsi genocide in Rwanda, to which the Israeli ambassador in Addis Ababa was invited, [Youssouf] chose to introduce anti-Israel political elements,” it said.
In July 2021, Israel said that it had rejoined the African Union4 as an observer member. Neguise, a former lawmaker for the ruling Likud Party, has been Israel’s ambassador to Ethiopia since August 2024.
In February 2023, an Israeli diplomat was expelled from the 36th African Union summit of heads of state held in Addis Ababa.
The incident came as the Israeli army renewed a deadly assault on Gaza on March 18 and has since killed more than 1,400 people, injured over 3,400 others, and shattered a January ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement in the enclave.
Over 50,700 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza in a brutal Israeli onslaught since October 2023, most of them women and children.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
Led by the Target Malaria project at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), the initiative seeks to use “gene drive” technology to reduce the number of malaria transmitting mosquitoes without relying on traditional tools like insecticide-treated bed nets or indoor spraying.
“We are developing genetically modified mosquitoes that, once released, could drastically lower the population of the vectors responsible for malaria transmission,” says Krystal Birungi, an entomologist with Target Malaria Uganda.
The approach focuses on two genetic modifications; reducing female mosquito fertility and altering the sex ratio of offspring. By engineering mosquitoes to lay fewer eggs or produce mostly male offspring, which do not bite or transmit malaria, scientists aim to gradually suppress mosquito populations in the wild.
“For instance, instead of a mosquito laying 300 eggs, gene editing could reduce that to 10. And instead of an even split between male and female offspring, we aim for about 295 males to just five females. Over time, this significantly reduces the number of biting mosquitoes and disrupts malaria transmission,” Birungi explains.
Uganda remains one of the countries hardest hit by malaria. According to the World Health Organization, the country recorded over 12 million cases and nearly 16,000 deaths in 2023 alone. The disease places a significant financial and health burden on both individuals and the government.
Current malaria control methods, bed nets, antimalarial drugs, and insecticide spraying have proven effective but face limitations due to changing mosquito behavior, resistance, and inconsistent usage.
Charles Ntege, senior entomology advisor at the Ministry of Health’s Malaria Control Program, says the new approach offers promise. “We need innovations that are less dependent on constant human behavior or expensive maintenance,” he noted.
“Gene drive mosquitoes could operate in the background, reducing transmission without requiring daily human intervention,” he emphasized.
However, the project has sparked concerns among conservationists. Critics worry about unforeseen ecological consequences, particularly how altering the mosquito population could affect species that feed on them, like fish, birds, bats, and frogs.
“In science, we follow the precautionary principle. We don’t yet fully understand how genetically modified genes might affect ecosystems or predators of mosquitoes. Yet, once released, we can’t call them back,” warns Dr. Edward Mwavu, an ecologist at Makerere University.
In response, Birungi assured that the project is proceeding cautiously. “We’re only targeting three out of about 3,400 mosquito species. The goal is specific and backed by ecological studies. So far, we’ve found no species that depend exclusively on mosquitoes for survival.”
She adds that their work is closely monitored by regulatory bodies, and no modified mosquitoes will be released without thorough risk assessments and public engagement.
Target Malaria is a multinational research collaboration working in Uganda, Mali, Ghana, and Burkina Faso. The project has received over $170 million in funding between 2005 and 2025 to explore genetic solutions to malaria.
This was disclosed on April 7, 2025, during the launch of the national mourning week and the 100-day commemoration of the 31st anniversary of the Genocide against the Tutsi, an event held at the Mukarange Genocide Memorial.
Ndindabahizi called upon anyone who might know the locations of the missing remains to come forward and help ensure they are laid to rest with dignity. He emphasized how important this would be for families who still have no closure.
He explained that the former communes of Rukara, Kayonza, Kabarondo, Muhazi, Kigarama, and part of Rukira were merged into what is now Kayonza District, which was home to over 50,000 Tutsis before the Genocide.
“However, when you count the survivors and those who died from other illness afterward, the number doesn’t exceed 10,000. This means that about 40,000 Tutsis were killed in less than 14 days, since after that the area had already been liberated by the RPF-Inkotanyi,” he said.
Ndindabahizi added that only fewer than 30,000 bodies have been buried in the four genocide memorials across the district, “Which means that over 10,000 bodies are still missing. This is a unique challenge we face here.”
He explained that some victims died while trying to flee through Akagera national park towards Tanzania. Others were devoured by wild animals, some were killed in forests by hunters, and others drowned while attempting to cross the Akagera River.
“These people are among the many who are considered completely missing. Some victims were killed in pit latrines, thrown into ditches, and others into rivers, streams, particularly into Lake Ruramira,” he noted.
“In partnership with the district, we managed to retrieve a few from the lake, at great effort and buried them. For the rest, we have buried them in our hearts,” he said.
Ndindabahizi noted that some individuals still know the locations of these remains but are refusing to come forward. “We urge the government and citizens to help us so these remains can be buried respectfully.”
“We won’t do it with violence or threats, but we will continue to speak up and ask questions wherever and whenever necessary,” he said.
The Executive Secretary of the Eastern Province, Dr. Jeanne Nyirahabimana, thanked the RPF-Inkotanyi for halting the Genocide and continuing to build a united, discrimination free country.
She urged everyone with information about the location of remains to come forward and warned against flirting with genocide ideology.
“We must not sit idly when we hear speech laced with genocide ideology. No one ‘plays’ or ‘jokes’ with genocide ideology. No one ‘discusses’ genocide ideology, it must be denounced wherever it is found, and those responsible must be held accountable,” she warned.
Jean Baptiste Rutayisire, a genocide survivor who hid in Mukarange Church, gave an account of how Interahamwe and government soldiers killed many people there.
He thanked the Inkotanyi who saved him after finding him with a deep machete wound on his head and a spear injury to his chest, and still nursed him back to life.
Mukarange Genocide Memorial is home over 9,300 victims, most of whom were Tutsis who had sought refuge in the church but were attacked by the Interahamwe militia in collaboration with soldiers of the former government forces.
Speaking during a talk show called Inkuru mu Makuru on the national broadcaster, RBA, he said, “I once made a statement about celebrities and how many of them are absent when it comes to the fight against genocide ideology. Afterward, someone called me and asked, ‘Don’t you think you went too far? Do you really expect celebrities to get involved in that?’”
In response, Murangira challenged that mindset, “They are enjoying the peace in this country, they are satisfied with the security, they’re earning money through infrastructure that supports their work, do they forget that this peace was built by people who fought against genocide? They, too, should play their part. They shouldn’t just be onlookers coming to harvest the benefits.”
He emphasized that when celebrities remain silent, they are essentially committing an act of cowardice.
“If you have millions of followers, even one statement you make against genocide ideology is a powerful contribution in your own way.”
As for the common excuse that artists and celebrities avoid political matters, Dr. Murangira dismissed that as evading responsibility.
“Fighting genocide and its ideology is not a political act, it’s a responsibility for everyone. You cannot just enjoy what the country has achieved and forget where it came from, only to then remain silent when someone tries to drag us backward.”
He reiterated that all Rwandans share the responsibility of protecting national unity.
“We all know that national unity is the foundation upon which this country is built. So in your influence, when you have a large following, you, too, must play a role in building a peaceful Rwanda. After all, where will you perform if the country has no peace?”
Murangira made these remarks as the world marks the 31st commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
He made the call at at the 31st commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, held in Berlin on April 7, 2025.
The event brought together dignitaries, members of the diplomatic corps, and the Rwandan community in Germany to reflect on the genocide and honor the victims.
Amb. Cesar acknowledged the progress Rwanda has made in the past three decades, highlighting the country’s remarkable recovery and ongoing reconciliation efforts.
However, he stressed that the fight against forgetting, distortion, and indifference remains critical.
“Your presence here today is not merely an act of solidarity, it is also a deep sign of compassion and a commitment to stand united against genocide,” he remarked.
The Ambassador also reflected on the deep-rooted causes of the genocide, tracing the origins of ethnic division and hatred to the colonial period.
“The genocide against the Tutsi was the culmination of decades-long ethnic-based hate and ideology of division instigated by colonial administrations,” he stated.
Amb. Cesar discussed the systematic nature of the genocide, during which over one million Tutsis and those who opposed it were killed in just 100 days.
He emphasized that it was a state-sponsored crime, executed with the help of Hutu extremist militias mobilized by local leaders and encouraged by media propaganda, all carried out under the watchful eye of the international community.
Amb. Cesar also highlighted the ongoing challenges posed by genocide ideology, which continues to spread in the region and abroad.
He pointed out that despite Rwanda’s achievements, the narrative of genocide denial and revisionism persists, particularly on social media platforms.
“Genocide denial and genocide ideology is dominated by revisionism. It acknowledges the facts but sabotages and distorts at the same time its meaning,” he warned.
The event saw notable contributions from various speakers, including Dr. Uschi Eid, President of Deutsche Afrika Stiftung.
The ceremony was also marked by the testimony of survivor Ms. Dimitri Sissi, whose powerful words brought a personal and emotional dimension to the commemoration.
In closing, Ambassador Cesar reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to combating genocide ideology and preventing future atrocities.
“We as a country reaffirm our commitment to play our rightful role among the international community in fighting genocide ideology and preventing genocide,” he concluded, emphasizing the importance of collective action in ensuring that the horrors of the past are never repeated.
Christian Ngarambe, the Chairperson of Ibuka in Berlin, who represented Judence Kayitesi, President of Ibuka Deutschland, also honored the memory of over a million innocent lives lost in the genocide. He reflected on the enduring resilience of survivors who have rebuilt both their lives and the nation.
“To remember is to preserve history,” Ngarambe stated, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that the truth is never distorted or forgotten.
He stressed that commemoration is not only about remembering the past but also about standing firm against genocide denial and revisionism.
“We must remain vigilant, defending the truth with unwavering commitment,” he added.
Ngarambe also highlighted Rwanda’s remarkable progress in rebuilding after the genocide, noting that the country’s strength lies in choosing unity over division and justice over vengeance.
“Out of the ashes of the genocide, Rwanda has chosen unity over division, justice over vengeance, and hope over despair,” he said.
However, he reminded the audience that unity and reconciliation require ongoing effort, urging future generations to continue the work of peace and dialogue.
With a call to action, he emphasized that genocide is not just a Rwandan issue, but a global failure of humanity.
“The lessons of the 1994 genocide must serve as a warning to the world that hatred, division, and indifference can lead to unimaginable horrors,” he stated, urging everyone to fight against discrimination and injustice in all its forms.
Ngarambe ended her speech by urging the younger generation to be the guardians of this history and to ensure that the values of unity and reconciliation continue to thrive.
“Today, we remember. We mourn. But we also commit ourselves to action,” he concluded, calling on all to stand together in the fight against hatred, for truth, dignity, and humanity.
The partnership announced on April 7, will focus on training memorial managers and staff to welcome school groups, improving the exhibitions, and creating educational content for schools. This initiative aims to deepen the educational impact of Rwanda’s memorial sites, which are central to preserving the memory of the genocide.
The project will be carried out in partnership with Aegis Trust and the Rwandan Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE).
Commenting on the initiative, Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General, emphasized the importance of preserving the memory of the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
“What happened in Rwanda concerns the whole of humanity. Education and the media were instrumentalized to transform ordinary citizens into killers. We must tirelessly transmit the history of the genocide, out of duty to the victims and to ensure that such atrocities never happen again. Everywhere, we must make education a powerful tool for remembrance, reconciliation, and peace,” she stated.
As part of the initiative, UNESCO will send a team of around fifteen young researchers, multimedia professionals, and Rwandan artists to enhance the exhibitions and improve signage at the memorials. A major focus will be placed on preserving the ‘living memory’ of the genocide by digitizing survivor interviews, producing documentary films, and organizing photographic projects.
In addition, UNESCO will provide training for memorial staff to better host and guide school groups. Staff will be connected with colleagues from other memorials to share expertise and form partnerships with survivor associations and the educational community.
UNESCO will also develop new educational content in Kinyarwanda, English, and French to help teachers prepare for their students’ visits to the memorials. The organization will also collaborate with young Rwandan content creators to lead social media campaigns aimed at promoting the memorial sites and combating historical falsification and online misinformation about the genocide.
President Kagame joined the participants in lighting the Flame of Hope, symbolizing resilience and the strength of the Rwandan people.
The walk was attended by a diverse group of individuals, including young people, artists, social media influencers, journalists, footballers, actors, and various leaders.
The event marked a significant return after it was postponed last year due to weather conditions. Additionally, for four years, the walk was not held due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
April 7th is recognized worldwide as the International Day of Remembrance of the Genocide against the Tutsi, where people across the globe reflect on the horrific events of 1994.
According to a census conducted by the Ministry of Local Government between 2000 and 2002, over 1,074,017 Tutsis were killed over a span of one hundred days, from April 7 to July 1994.
This report, released in 2004, details the places where victims lived, their ages, names, and in some cases, the specific circumstances of their deaths.
The call came as Rwanda began the 31st commemoration of the genocide, which claimed the lives of over one million Tutsi, killed simply because of how they were born.
“This appalling chapter in human history was not a spontaneous frenzy of horrendous violence. It was intentional, premeditated and planned – including through hate speech that inflamed division, and spread lies and dehumanization,” reads part his message shared on Monday.
Guterres warned that the same seeds of division that led to the genocide in Rwanda are being sown again in today’s world.
“These are days of division. The narrative of ‘us’ versus ‘them’ is ascendant, polarizing societies. Digital technologies are being weaponized to further inflame hate, stoke division, and spread lies.”
He also emphasized the urgency for nations to take action: “We must learn from the terrible history of the genocide [against the Tutsi] in Rwanda, and act to stem the tide of hate speech, stop disunity and discontent mutating into violence, uphold human rights, and ensure accountability.”
The Secretary-General called on all States to deliver on commitments made in the Global Digital Compact to tackle online falsehoods and hate, ‘to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law, and to become parties to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide without delay’.
“Today, around the world, the darkest impulses of humanity are being awakened once more by the voices of extremism, division and hate. On this day of remembrance, let’s commit to be vigilant and to work together to build a world of justice and dignity for all – in honour of all the victims and survivors of the genocide [against the Tutsi] in Rwanda.”
In Rwanda, a national week of mourning for the over a million innocent lives starts every year on 7th-13th April, while commemoration activities continue throughout the 100 days period ending on July 3rd.
April 7th has also since 2018 been designated the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda by the United Nations and is commemorated every year at the African Union level in honor of the innocent lives.
At the national level, the 31st Commemoration was marked by a solemn ceremony held at the Kigali Genocide Memorial.
President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame led the event by lighting the Flame of Hope, a symbol of remembrance and resilience.
The ceremony was attended by senior government officials and friends of Rwanda, all gathered to honour the memory of the victims and reflect on the country’s journey toward healing and unity.
This ceremony took place at the Kigali Genocide Memorial at Gisozi, where the remains of 259,000 victims from the districts of Gasabo, Kicukiro, and Nyarugenge in Kigali are laid to rest.
April 7th is recognized as the international day of reflection on the Genocide committed against the Tutsi in 1994. A day observed worldwide to remember the over one million lives lost in just 100 days.
Before lighting the flame of hope that will burn for 100 days, President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame laid wreaths on the mass graves and paid tribute to the victims.
Kagame later thanked both Rwandans and foreigners who joined Rwanda in launching the 31st commemoration week. “I thank you because, often, as we continue to see it, the truth is no longer the basis for understanding what happened,” he said
Among the attendees were government leaders, representatives from genocide survivor organizations, friends of Rwanda, and others.
On January 26, 2018, the United Nations officially designated April 7 as the international day of reflection on the Genocide against the Tutsi, a name that was adopted to reflect the truth of the tragic events.
A survey conducted by the Ministry of Local Government between 2000 and 2002 revealed that 1,074,017 Tutsis were killed during the hundred days from April to July 1994.
This report, released in 2004, documented the locations where the victims lived, their ages, and even the ways in which many of them met their deaths.
In a post shared on X, Arsenal paid tribute to the victims and stood in solidarity with Rwanda.
” ‘Kwibuka’ means ‘to remember’. Today we mark the 31st commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda,” Arsenal wrote.
April 7, officially recognised by the United Nations as the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, commemorates the day in 1994 when the genocide began, an atrocity in which over one million Tutsi were systematically killed over a period of 100 days.
In Rwanda, the April 7 commemoration, known as Kwibuka, which means “to remember” in Kinyarwanda, is observed as a national day of mourning and marks the start of a week-long period of remembrance and reflection.
It serves as a solemn occasion to honour the victims, support survivors, and reaffirm a global commitment to ensuring that such atrocities never happen again.
Arsenal has been a key partner in Rwanda’s recovery and development efforts through the Visit Rwanda campaign, which promotes tourism and investment opportunities in the country. The partnership began in 2018.
The Rwandan government has consistently called on the international community not only to remember the genocide but also to combat genocide ideology and denial. Arsenal’s act of remembrance sends a strong message about the value of global solidarity in honouring the memory of the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi.
