Present during the walk to remember was Belgium Prime Minister Charles Michel; Ethiopian Prime Minister, Dr. Abiy Ahmed; African Union Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat; and the Secretary-General of La Francophonie Louise Mushikiwabo.
The walk to remember started at the parliamentary buildings in Kimihurura around 4 pm heading for Amahoro Stadium where the night to remember was held yesterday.
Over 25,000 Rwandans of whom the majority is the youth were present at the event.
The Minister of Justice and State Attorney, Johnston Busingye hailed all who joined Rwanda in commemoration activities.
He explained that paying homage to a deceased is part of Rwandan culture rituals designed to keep solidarity with the bereaved family.
“We remember the heinous crime committed by neighbors where people killed fellow workers, colleagues, killed fathers and mothers in law, killed intimate friends supported of the government to exterminate targeted people,” he said.
“We got the luck that Rwandan children stood to stop genocide. We will always be grateful for their bravery and paying homage to those who sacrificed themselves to save targeted people,” added Busingye.
The president of Ibuka, Prof Jean Pierre Dusingizemungu commended commitment and perseverance of genocide survivors over the 25 years.
He explained that through the journey; they identified where about killed relatives were thrown to be accorded decent burial, arose unity and reconciliation while genocide perpetrators were sued.
“We experienced day to day life hardships. Genocide left orphans and widows. Perpetrators robbed properties and destroyed the rest. They destroyed houses, and trust among people. They offended Tutsi whose souls and bodies were killed. However; His Excellency President Paul Kagame paved the way that enabled genocide survivors to rebuild strength and chose life amidst the dark past,” said Dusingizemungu.
He called on international community to take to court errand perpetrators and warned neighboring countries collaborating with perpetrators to destabilize Rwanda’s security.
Pictorial of the Walk and Night To Remember
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