The President reiterated the commitment yesterday as he participated in the meeting bringing together heads of state and Governments, as well as heads of different institutions and international organizations assessing how Arica can manufacture COVID-19 vaccines.
The meeting held virtually was organized by African Union (AU) in collaboration with Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
In line with the agenda of increasing domestic health financing, Kagame highlighted that it is important for Africa to forge strategic public-private partnerships for vaccine manufacturing on our continent.
“Vaccine production goes hand in hand with increased investments in domestic health systems, as well as building an efficient and autonomous Africa CDC, which I think is the way we are headed. Rwanda is ready to play a role in this effort, together with other member states and partners,” he said.
Kagame further stressed that Africa needs to expand production capacity for vaccines and other essential medical products.
He said that he contacted and discussed with manufacturers of COVID-19 vaccines who insisted that Africa can make it.
“In the past few weeks and months, I had the opportunity to initiate contacts with different manufacturers of vaccines, specifically focusing on the Messenger RNA (mRNA) technique used by Moderna and Pfizer. We have been involved in discussions and I have briefed a few colleagues on our continent, but we want to take this forward by discussing it with others,” he said.
“There is a company that is capable of this technique, just as Moderna and Pfizer have been doing, that is ready and willing. I will brief those responsible very soon. I am sorry that I have not done that before we had this discussion,” added Kagame.
The President stated that Africa can apply techniques of these manufacturers complementing with other ways like the adenovirus method, in the vaccines used by Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca.
“And therefore, for Africa to move from being very sorry for ourselves, which is the case today — and I think no one single person takes the blame for that — but we have to take the blame for that, and move from what we know has not worked well for Africa to something we can do, using the examples President Ramaphosa mentioned, by partnering with these industries,” he noted.
“The African Continental Free Trade Area makes these investments even more attractive. The Africa Medicines Agency Treaty is a critical part of the institutional framework, and I urge African member states to ratify this, as many as we can have ratify, as soon as possible,” he added.
The meeting was also attended by President of DRC Felix Tshisekedi who is the current Chairperson of AU and his counterpart of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa.
Until today, church leaders are blamed to have played a role during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi mobilizing followers to kill fellows.
In 2016, the Catholic Church apologized on behalf of its members that participated in the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi through the statement signed by nine bishops.
“Even though the church sent no body to do harm, we, the Catholic clerics in particular, apologize, again, for some of the church members, clerics, people who dedicated themselves to serve God and Christians in general who played a role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi,” reads part of the statement.
In April 2016, the Association of Pentecostal Church of Rwanda (ADEPR) also apologized for complicity of its members during Genocide against Tutsi.
IGIHE has talked to church leaders including the Archbishop of Kigali Diocese, Cardinal Antoine Kambanda and the spokesperson of ADEPR, Pastor Ndayizeye Isaie to hear their message to Rwandans and hint on learned lessons and teachings churches should promote.
Cardinal Kambanda said that Genocide against Tutsi is beyond imagination considering the fact that Christians also took part of it.
“Genocide against Tutsi reflected extreme cruelty. The saddest thing is that it was perpetrated by Rwandans including Christians. This hurts us. What happened in Rwanda is beyond imagination had it not been the Mercy of God,” he said.
“That is why we take time, during this period of commemoration, to pray so that God can defeat the evil and hatred to resurrect from death to lead new life. This is what Jesus Christ came to teach us when he was oppressed and accepted to die in solidarity with all oppressed and killed over their innate personality,” added Cardinal Kambanda.
He highlighted that it is saddening for a Christian to take lives of fellows yet they are aware that ‘life’ is the greatest gift God gave people.
“The blood of victims is a tear that reaches God. During this period, we take time to comfort genocide survivors and pray for Genocide victims to continue resting in eternal peace,” said Cardinal Kambanda.
Pastor Ndayizeye Isaie genocide victims suffered a lot without anyone to comfort them.
“Survivors endured extreme sufferings during Genocide when they had no one help or comfort them. We comfort them and remind that Christ is around to comfort and soothe their hearts despite endured difficulties,” he said.
The Bishop of the Anglican Church in Kigali , Rusengo Nathan Amooti has observed that Genocide against Tutsi uncovered the status of Christianity among Rwandans noting that they turned into ‘Judas’ (Iscariot) and perpetrated killings.
“Genocide reflected the extent of Christianity among Rwandans. It weighed us, Rwandans and Christians. Rwandans became Judas, betrayed and killed fellows,” he said.
“We should admit our weakness and committed evils that also led us to killing the son of God. We offended our fellows and God,” added Rusengo.
Judas Iscariot was one of the Twelve Apostles. He is notorious for betraying Jesus by disclosing Jesus’ whereabouts for 30 pieces of silver. Judas brought men to arrest Jesus and identified him with a kiss. Jesus was then arrested, tried, and executed.
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Cardinal Kambanda has said that Christians should be taught to love each other and avoid whatever that could lead divide them.
“Priority teachings should mobilizing people to stand against discrimination. Our bond of unity is much valuable than differences. The difference rests in economic status but we are flowers as Mary of Kibeho told us. The beauty of flowers lies in the mix of varied of colors. This should apply to us to stand united,” he said.
“Our uniqueness is the beauty and our strength. Saint Paul says it well alluding to an example of a body composed of different parts which form its strength,” added Cardinal Kambanda.
Pastor Ndayizeye also highlighted that preachers should strive to instill good values among Christians.
“We should be careful and follow up whether our teachings transform people into Church followers or followers of Christ. This point should be given much relevance to avoid bystanders,” he said.
“It has been observed that such virtue was missing during Genocide against Tutsi. It is important to analyze the transformations brought by messages delivered nowadays bring to lives of Christians and how they can resist the evil regardless of the forces behind,” added Ndayizeye.
Bishop Rusengo also observed that Christians should repent and take on their responsibility as Christians to perceive fellows in the image of God.
In July 2019, President Paul Kagame blamed preachers who played a role to turn churches into killing fields saying that Rwandans are not short of lessons showing them how to do it because there is more strength they should use to build the Rwandan family and make a contribution on the global scale.
He made the observation in his concluding remarks following the training of leadership dubbed ‘Purpose Driven Leadership Gathering’ organized by PEACE Plan Rwanda at Kigali Convention Center (KCC).
The training was attended by close to 2,000 people from the public, private and faith based sectors for the Purpose Driven Leadership Gathering led by Pastor Rick Warren.
At the time, Kagame reflected on the country’s tragic history that led to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi taking lives of over 1 million victims saying it should leave a considerable lesson.
“You cannot call yourself a believer and behave as someone who is not a believer. I have still not understood how churches were turned into killing fields with those who taught the word of God choosing who should be killed,” said Kagame.
“It is a failure that will continue to leave a mark on our history. That is why Rwanda has to make extraordinary choices to heal from the tragedy and failures of our past,” he added.
The ceremony to remember these victims took place on Sunday at Nyanza Genocide Memorial observing COVID-19 preventive measures with few representatives of different groups.
Some mourners who spoke to IGIHE said that visiting memorials is a way to honor genocide victims.
The mayor of Kigali City, Rubingisa Prudence said that Rwanda is commemorating for the 27th time during Coronavirus pandemic but observed that honoring genocide victims should not be disregarded.
“I would like to comfort those who could not attend this ceremony because we are commemorating during unusual times preventing the spread of COVID-19. We have represented others so that we can lay wreaths, pay tribute to victims and remember Genocide against Tutsi,” he said.
Rubingisa reminded the youth to make a step forward to learn Rwanda’s history to be able to resist people denying and trivializing the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
“We still experience cases of Genocide ideology and trivialization but we won’t remain silent. We encourage the youth to visit memorials, learn history, to witness how victims were brutally killed. They should learn this truth so that they can resist people denying and misinterpreting history,” he noted.
The President of Ibuka in Kigali City, Egide Nkuranga called for intensified efforts to resist people who continue to fuel genocide ideology especially during commemoration period.
The President of Ibuka in Kigali City, Egide Nkuranga called for intensified efforts to resist people who continue to fuel genocide ideology especially during commemoration period.
“It has been 27 years since Genocide against Tutsi was stopped but we still have people denying and trivializing the Genocide especially during commemoration period. This means, there are some people with persistent and destructive ideologies and others intending to exterminate surviving Tutsi,” he said.
“It should be everyone’s responsibility to resist genocide deniers,” added Nkuranga.
Mukayiranga Spéciose, who represented families with relatives laid at Nyanza memorial in Kicukiro said that honoring victims soothes their hearts.
“We were hopeless during Genocide but we feel relieved when we visit this place. It makes us happy and soothes our hearts when we come to this place where relatives are laid to rest,” she noted.
Mukayiranga thanked the Government of Rwanda for having built memorials that helps them to remember fallen relatives.
Rwanda is commemorating for the 27th time under the them ‘ Rember-Unite-Renew’.
Nyanza-Kicukiro is distinctly known as one of the places where thousands of people were massacred a few days after the beginning of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.
When the genocide began on April 7, over 3000 Tutsi from Kicukiro sought refuge at a former technical school, Ecole Technique Officielle de Kicukiro (ETO), in the belief that they would be protected by the United Nations peacekeeping forces for Rwanda (MINUAR) that was based there.
MINUAR would however desert them a few days later, despite the tension that had built up as the Interahamwe militia and government soldiers had surrounded the school.
Following the departure of the UN troops, government soldiers and Interahamwe took control of ETO Kicukiro.
In the school, Tutsi were taken by government soldiers and Interahamwe to Sonatube to be murdered there but the then mayor of the city, Lt. Col. Tharcisse Renzaho, ordered that they instead be taken to Nyanza and killed from there because Sonatube was too visible along the road to the airport.
The Tutsi were then forced to march back, all the way to Nyanza, amid a heavy downpour. Many had not eaten for a couple of days. Those too weak to walk were killed on the way. When they arrived at Nyanza, the militia asked them to present their IDs to ensure that no Hutu were among the group.
Mass killings then began and many of them were killed using machetes. The next morning, as the killers attempted to finish off those who were still alive, the Rwandan Patriotic Army soldiers arrived and rescued the few who had survived the massacre.
These abandoned Tutsi were killed on 11th April 1994.
The memorial that will feature names of Sports men killed during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi was proposed by the team that carried out research on the former Ministry of Youth and Associative Movement previously known as Ministère de la Jeunesse et du Mouvement associative (MIJEUMA).
Appearing in RTV talk show on Sunday 11th April 2021 revolving around how ‘Sports and Entertainment’ were used as a tool to prepare Genocide, Dr. Gakwenzire Philbert who conducted research on the former MIJEUMA said that 75% of Tutsi that worked with the Ministry were killed during Genocide against Tutsi.
He explained that MIJEUMA had 544 employees before Genocide of whom 49 were Tutsi equivalent to 9%. Of the 49 Tutsi, 37 (75%) were killed during Genocide while 12 survived.
After conducting the research, Dr. Gakwenzire proposed building a memorial featuring names of fallen victims that worked with the Ministry at Amahoro Stadium in Remera where it had offices.
“No memorial has been built for 37 former employees of the Ministry killed during Genocide. We proposed that the memorial with names of Genocide victims should be built at Amahoro Stadium,” he said.
“The Ministry had offices at the stadium but we are aware that it had main headquarters in Quartier Commercial (currently in Kigali city centre). We also proposed that the building should be marked with a symbol reflecting that it is among places where Genocide was planned. It is a truth well known that the dance troop dubbed Irindiro of [Simon Bikindi] used the ministry’s multipurpose hall for repetitions as well as other resources of the ministry,” he said.
Simon Bikindi was renowned for producing songs that encouraged Hutus to kill Tutsi.
The Minister of Sports, Munyangaju Aurore Mimosa who also featured in the talk show said that the memorial will be constructed after rehabilitating Amahoro Stadium and feature names of sportsmen killed during Genocide.
“It is true that the proposal was tabled. As we know, the current premises of Amahoro Stadium are set for renovation. The idea was welcomed the great idea that we want materialized. Apart from employees of MIJEUMA, sportsmen, members of different associations or partners of the then ministry whose identifications are traced will be feature on the list,” she said.
“We cannot specify the date because the activity is planned after completing renovation works,” added Munyangaju.
The political expert who once served as an advisor in the Office of the President the Republic, Paul Kagame has explained that it is the first time for a committee established by France to approve that the country supported the Government that prepared and executed Genocide noting that the gesture is a giant stride leading to the revelation of unknown realities and revitalized bilateral relations.
The report by expert commission comprised of French historians was released on 26th March 2021 and presented to French President Emmanuel Macron. The team studied French official files.
The report indicated that France bears “heavy and overwhelming responsibilities” over tragic history that led to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi which took lives of over 1 million victims.
It was presented two years, after the delegation of 13 historians started reviewing archives on France, Rwanda relations between 1990 and 1994.
The report blames the then French President, François Mitterrand, for a “failure” of policy towards Rwanda in 1994. The findings were made public after years of French official secrecy over links to the Government led by Juvenal Habyarimana.
President Macron appointed the 15-member commission two years ago, giving them access to presidential, diplomatic, military and intelligence archives.
Among the archives are those of Mitterrand, who had close ties to former Rwandan President Juvénal Habyarimana.
Dr. Kimonyo who also authored different books has told IGIHE that the relevance of the report lies in its resolutions.
He holds a PhD in Political Science obtained from Québec University in Canada.
He has so far authored two books including ‘Rwanda, un génocide populaire ‘ and ‘Rwanda demain! Une longue marche vers la transformation’.
“In fact, the gist of the report lies in its resolutions. It has two resolutions.The first states that French people had heavy and overwhelming responsibility to what happened in Rwanda between 1990 and 1994. Secondly, it is the first time an entity from France makes such a statement. That’s a great milestone,” he said.
“Taking stock of the situation in the past five years, an individual trying to ask former France officials if the country was accomplice to Habyarimana or Genocidal Government was mocked. The report clears France of complicity but asking the question also has a strong relevance,” added Dr. Kimonyo.
He explained that implications of the report proves the country’s role during Genocide particularly allies complicity of allies to the then President Mitterand even though it is not mentioned directly.
Dr. Kimonyo finds that Duclert report is a great step to restoring Rwanda, France relations considering the strong willingness of President Macron since he took office in 2017.
“The report is not the first gesture Macron demonstrates to revitalize Rwanda. France relations. As the Duclert commission was established, the country had started spotting Genocide fugitives to face justice. The situation is promising that Rwanda, France relations will continue to flourish,” he observed.
Since 1991, France embassy in Rwanda reported that preparation of Genocide to exterminate Tutsi but the Government of Mitterand kept a deaf ear as revealed by Colonel René Galinié who was the Defense Attaché to the Embassy of France in Rwanda and head of military cooperation mission (July 1991-April 1994).
The Duclert report also triggered reactions of other French soldiers who were deployed in ‘Opération Turquoise’ (a French-led military intervention in Rwanda since 1994) among other politicians who have been explaining the Government of the then French President, Mitterand disregarded for several times reports and evidences explaining that Genocide was under preparation in Rwanda.
“President Kagame today received French Historian Vincent Duclert, who presented the report titled ‘France, Rwanda and the Genocide Against the Tutsi’. The report was commissioned by President Emmanuel Macron, two years ago and was done by a team of 13 researchers and historians,” the Presidency has tweeted.
Prof. Duclert who arrived in Rwanda on 7th April 2021 has held exclusive talks with President Kagame were accompanied by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr.Vincent Biruta and the Minister of Justice and State Attorney General, Johnston Busingye.
Prof. Duclert said he was glad to present to President Kagame, the report on France’ role during Genocide.
Duclert explained that the report is based on findings from reviewed archives related to Rwanda during Genocide.
Rwanda, France relations wavered in the past over the role France is accused to have played during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
As Rwanda began the 27th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi, Macron granted public access to these official archives.
Minister Biruta said that Duclert report reflects the commitment of President Macron towards revealing the truth of what happened and highlighted that it provides ground for common understanding, which is a significant step to both countries’ relations.
President Macron appointed the 15-member commission in 2019, giving them access to presidential, diplomatic, military and intelligence archives.
The report by French historians revealed that France bears “heavy and overwhelming responsibilities” over tragic history that led to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi which took lives of over 1 million victims.
The report blames the then French President, François Mitterrand, for a “failure” of policy towards Rwanda in 1994. The findings were made public after years of French official secrecy over links to the Government led by Juvenal Habyarimana.
Among the archives are those of Mitterrand, who had close ties to former Rwandan President Juvénal Habyarimana.
As he delivered the message marking the beginning of the 27th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi; Kagame said that certain French officials have for decades tried to cover up their responsibilities (during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi) which caused significant damage and reminisced on the Duclert report which he welcomed highlighting that it marks an important step toward common understanding of what took place.
“Recently, a commission of historians appointed by the French government released a detailed report after reading official archives that had remained secret. The report shows that President Mitterrand and his closest advisers knew that genocide against Tutsi was being planned by their allies in Rwanda. Despite that knowledge, the president decided to continue supporting them, because he believed this was necessary for France’s geopolitical position. Rwandan lives were just pawns in geopolitical games,” he said.
“We welcome this report because it marks an important step toward a common understanding of what took place. It also marks a change, it shows the desire, even for leaders in France, to move forward with a good understanding of what happened, and we welcome this. We welcome this. We are going to have the report presented to us. I have been informed about it. It is a good thing,” added Kagame.
The President emphasized that Rwanda will, in the near future, release its findings going in the same direction with findings from Duclert report.
“Rwanda will also have a word to say in the near future, maybe around the third week of this month. The findings we have in our hands, based on the work that has been done by people who were commissioned to do that in parallel to what was being done in France — the findings go in the same direction. The important thing is to continue working together to document the truth. This is the truth,” he noted.
In November last year, Macron announced plan for a visit to Rwanda in 2021, aimed at strengthening existing bilateral relations.
“First of all, I am planning for visits to Angola and South Africa that had been suspended due to health conditions. I am hopeful that I will be able to make the visits within few weeks ahead and later visit Rwanda in 2021,” he told Jeune Afrique.
The date and month for the visit have not yet been confirmed but it is reported that the situation will depend on the status of COVID-19 pandemic.
Macron’s visit to Rwanda is expected before 18th May 2021 because France plans to host France-Africa investment summit in which over ten African head of states are invited.
In 2019, Macron was invited to Rwanda to attend the 25th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi. At the time, Macron sent the delegation of France parliamentarians including Sira Sylla and the French Rwandan born Member of Parliament, Herve Berville.
In May 2018, President Paul Kagame invited Macron as he attended Viva Technology Summit that brought together CEOs of different technology start-up companies and potential innovators in Paris, France.
Macron was again invited in October 2018 after the General Assembly of the International Organization of la Francophonie (OIF).
At the time, Kagame told RFI and France 24 that Macron was invited to visit Rwanda since he took office in May 2017.
Rwanda, France relations have been on good progress since Macron took office in 2017.
The latter has demonstrated willingness to change France, Africa foreign policy and building strong relations with partners unlike his predecessor, François Hollande.
President Kagame recently told Jeune Afrique that there has been progress to both countries’ relations since Macron was elected in comparison with the past.
Rwanda, France diplomatic relations date back in 1962 after obtaining Independence.
If he comes to Rwanda, Macron will be the second French president landing in the country of thousand hills after the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
Nicolas Sarkozy is the only France president who visited Rwanda on 25th February 2010 following the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
The commemoration that lasts 100 days is taking place for second time during Coronavirus pandemic whereby talks will be delivered virtually through mainstream media including televisions and radios as well as other social media platforms.
Over the years, people have been reported and arrested for threatening genocide survivors, uprooting their crops, stabbing their livestock or destroying their houses among other violent acts during commemoration period.
Among others, it has been observed that propagandists, roaming perpetrators and their supporters often use this time to spread genocide ideology, deny and trivialize the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi which continue to pain survivors who endured with both physical and psychological trauma.
It is worrying situation that such propagandists intend to mislead people especially the youth considered as the backbone of the nation’s future and hold back the strides Rwanda has made in unity and reconciliation.
IGIHE has talked to Fidèle Ndayisaba, the Executive Secretary of Rwanda National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC) to hint on attitudes that should characterize people during the commemoration period.
As he explained, the first move towards fighting genocide ideology is participation in commemoration events.
“The first move is to participate in commemoration events. Physical meetings have been limited by Covid-19 but we encourage people to watch, listen talks aired through mainstream media and various social media platforms. This helps to understand better history of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi, comfort each other and stand in solidarity,” he said.
Ndayisaba also reminded the public that they should be selective because some media houses are used to spread propaganda, sow hatred and mislead people.
He highlighted that majority of them are YouTube channels and other media houses from abroad working under the arms of people denying and trivializing Genocide against Tutsi.
Ndayisaba further stressed that emphasis should be drawn on self-protection and protecting others during this commemoration period by avoiding to give attention to misleading speeches and publications sowing hatred. Journalists are also urged to avoid propaganda that misleads people.
Ndayisaba explained that Rwandans should stand against acts of genocide ideologists and advised them to stand united and comfort genocide survivors.
During his message marking the beginning of commemoration events, President Paul Kagame said that Rwandans should not be afraid to resist people denying genocide.
He was commenting on the presentation of the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for the Fight against Genocide (CNLG), Dr. Jean-Damascène Bizimana that shed light on evidences of the preparation and execution of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
“What Jean-Damascène Bizimana has just told us, those are facts. Facts of our history, facts about what happened, and the responsibilities thereof. For those deniers, if they have no shame, why should I have fear?” he noted.
Rwanda is commemorating for the 27th time under the theme ‘Remember-Unite-Renew’
The request was made yesterday on Thursday 8th April 2021 during the commemoration of genocide victims in the district.
The event that took place at Mukeri and Gisuma genocide memorials located in Byumba sector attracted minimal participation of mourners in compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures.
Munyakazi André, a survivor with relatives buried at Mukeri memorial said that it is shameful to see some memorials without roofing that water penetrates inside easily.
He appealed to the Government for action to have these memorials upgraded.
“For instance, you can see that it is raining on this memorial. It would be better if the memorial is upgraded and get roofing because rain water usually penetrates inside the cemetery and destroys remains of deceased relatives,” he said.
Munyemana Augustin from Kageyo sector said that water drainage channels should be constructed and proceed with further upgrading works to ensure remains are kept in safe conditions.
Kamizikunze Anastase, the President of IBUKA, organization umbrella of genocide survivors in Gicumbi district has said that three of six memorials are not roofed.
He however explained that they plan to relocate these memorials to one memorial at district level that will be properly constructed.
The mayor of Gicumbi district, Ndayambaje Félix has explained that they are seeking a solution to build one memorial that will accommodate remains from five memorials in different areas.
“We have a plan to build a decent genocide memorial at district level whereby some memorials can be integrated. We are holding talks with the National Commission for the Fight against Genocide. We have already submitted a proposal to run two memorials including one of Tutsis killed during the 1994 Genocide and another one of victims killed on accusation of espionage,” he said.
Ndayambaje revealed that the genocide memorial at district level is expected to be built in Mutete sector at a cost of over Rwf 800 million.
Gicumbi district has six memorials, three of which accommodate remains of 1541 genocide victims.
These include Mutete, Rutare, Nyarurama, Mukeri and Mugina genocide memorials as well as Gisuna memorial accommodating killed victims accused of espionage.
On Thursday 8th April 2021, the team of Japanese volunteers paid a courtesy call to the Minister of State for East African Community Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,Prof. Nshuti Manasseh.
The team was accompanied by ambassador of Japan in Rwanda, Masahiro Imai and Maruo Shin, the chief representative of JICA Rwanda.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that they discussed, among others, bilateral relations and the JICA resuming the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers’ activities in Rwanda.
Rwanda registered 44 volunteers from Japan as of March 2020 who returned home as Coronavirus emerged.
Despite their return, JOCV continued to assist Rwandan residents virtually.
These volunteers arrived again in Rwanda on 3rd April 2021 expected to resume their activities in the districts of Kayonza, Kirehe, Musanze, Ngoma and Rwamagana effective from Friday 9th April 2021.
These volunteers also visited Kigali Genocide Memorial yesterday morning where they paid respect to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in solidarity with the people of Rwanda during this commemoration period.
JICA has released a statement showing that resuming volunteerism activities is entrenched on the fact that Rwanda has made giant and promising strides towards fighting COVID-19.
Japan volunteers started activities in Rwanda in 1987 through JICA. These activities halted in 1993 and resumed after 12 years in 2005.
A total of 300 youth volunteers from Japan in the age bracket of 20 and 30 have so far involved in volunteer activities in Rwanda with major interventions in proper maintenance of water and sanitation infrastructures, building capacity for coffee farmers and promoting science based education among others.
Nyamirambo in Kigali city is among areas where Tutsis were brutally killed by Interahamwe militia in collaboration with Guards of the then President Habyarimana Juvénal.
After the shooting of the airplane that carried Habyarimana on 6th April 1994, the long-planned Genocide went into execution from the next day on 7th April.
On 8th April, Tutsis in Nyamirambo were hunted Interahamwe militia in collaboration with Republican Guards of the then President Habyarimana Juvénal. Some Tutsi sought refuge at St Charles Lwanga Catholic Church, School of Josephite Brothers and College Saint André in Nyamirambo but were unfortunately killed.
27 years after genocide against Tutsi, survivors who lost relatives or continue to endure physical and emotional wounds inflicted by perpetrators.
Gakwaya Gérard, is an old man from Urumuri village in Rwezamenyo sector. He is among Tutsi that survived gun shots of Habyarimana’s guards after the death of her children and wife.
As killings started, Gakwaya revealed that these soldiers were invited by neighbors that worked at the Central Bank to exterminate Tutsi in the area.
“After the plane crash on 6th April 1994, we started hiding from killers the next day. In the night of 8th April, soldiers shot dead a resident at the entrance of my home,” he said.
As he explained; Fabien Neretse, a resident of Nyamirambo invited Republican Guards of former President Habyarimana to help them exterminate Tutsis on 9th April 1994. Gakwaya’s wife and children were killed the same day.
Neretse Fabien was in 2019 handed 25-year sentence convicted of genocide crimes and crimes against humanity by Belgian courts.
Gakwaya explained that Nyamirambo was inhabited by magnates and other public servants with decent jobs working with the Central Bank or Banque Commercial du Rwanda (BCR) currently known as I&M Bank.
The old man went on to reveal that some BNR staff in the area invited soldiers because most of them hailed from Gisenyi and Ruhengeri, regions where Habyarimana and senior military officers had roots.
Since then, Gakwaya said that those soldiers went to the area regularly to hunt and kill remaining Tutsi.
Before the killings began, Gakwaya explained, a list of Tutsi to be killed had been made earlier. These soldiers did not only kill Tutsi in Nyamirambo but also pillaged their belongings.
Like other relatives, Gakwaya narrated that these killers looted all his possessions that he was left with bare hands.
Cerobika Alphonsine also lives in Nyamirambo. Her husband called Buseruka Gérard was killed by guards of President Habyarima.
She told IGIHE that her husband who worked at BCR was killed on 3rd May 1994.
The day her husband was killed, Cerobika had fled with children so that they could not be killed together and hide them from rapists.
“The husband advised us to flee fearing her daughters would be raped in his presence. So we went into hiding. When killers came, they asked him where we were. He replied that he didn’t know. They immediately took him outside the house and shot him dead in the backyard,” she narrated.
The President of IBUKA, organization umbrella of genocide survivors, Rwego Yusuf, has told IGIHE that many Tutsi were killed in the area even though the number of victims has not yet been established.
“Many Tutsi from different places were killed here in Nyamirambo. Some came from St Joseph and Biryogo among others. Many victims in Urumuri village were killed by soldiers,” he said.
Rwego explained that some Tutsis were boarded in a car from St Joseph and taken to Rwezamenyo where they were killed.
The former mayor of Commune Nyarugenge and Renzaho Tharcisse who was the then Kigali city mayor are accused to be masterminds behind getting Tutsis killed in Nyamirambo.
Despite the atrocities, Rwego said that the evil was finally defeated in July 1994 that Habyarimana soldiers fled the country as RPA soldiers intervened to rescue and liberate the country.
“From Kanombe Military camp and elsewhere, Habyarimana’s soldiers were dispersed that they couldn’t spend time identifying who is a Tutsi or not but rather begged food along the road. Whoever alive witnessed how Habyarimana’s soldiers were defeated and hit hard at the time,” he noted.
RPA soldiers kept soldiering on to rescue targeted Tutsis and as they repelled Habyarimana’s soldiers until they were completely defeated.
Despite endured dark past, Genocide survivors in Nyamirambo are glad for attained transformations under the visionary leadership of President Paul Kagame.
The Government helped them to get decent shelters, access education among others that orphans have grown into men and women with great hope for a prosperous future working with the rest of Rwandans to rebuild the nation shaken by wounds of genocide.
As Rwanda started the 27th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi, President Paul Kagame has said that Rwandans have united against the evil than ever before highlighting that the shared identity of striving for a united Rwanda has paved way for Rwanda’s resilience and quick recovery from wounds of Genocide.
Considering the journey, Rwandans went through and attained progress; President Kagame said that the immensity of what has been achieved is almost miraculous that the results are attested to by Rwandans, and indeed indisputable.
“First, there are the tangible signs, things that we can see and feel. New buildings and roads. Better hospitals and health centres. Water and electricity services, where they never existed before. Visitors flocking to see Rwanda’s unique wildlife and enjoy our hospitality. But the intangible transformations which have taken place in the hearts and minds of our people are even more important. They allow progress to be sustained from generation to generation,” he said.
Despite efforts by genocide deniers and propagandists that continue to fuel genocide denials, and trivialization, Kagame stressed that Rwandans have managed to distinguish the right from evils and remained committed to their purpose to rebuild a better nation and consolidate gains.
“We also credit Rwanda’s rebirth to the fact that the larger part of Rwandans wanted to build a better nation and overcome the manipulations by the bad leaders of the past. Given the chance to live better and see things differently, our people seized it. This is an indispensable part of our strength,” he said.
“As a result, even in the midst of constant pressures and distractions, Rwanda today is unquestionably more united and forward-looking than ever before. And here, I am speaking particularly about the youth, who are the vast majority of our country’s people. That is why all efforts to divide and divert us have failed, and will continue to fail,” added Kagame.
