Rédaction Africa Links 24 with ALM
Published on 2024-04-07 21:32:15
The Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch represented His Majesty King Mohammed VI on Sunday in Kigali at the ceremony commemorating the 30th anniversary of the genocide perpetrated in Rwanda in 1994 against the Tutsis.
On this occasion, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, in the presence of several Heads of State and government, as well as representatives of regional and international organizations, launched the National Mourning Week by laying a wreath at the Gisozi memorial in the Rwandan capital, where more than 250,000 genocide victims are buried.
After observing a minute of silence in memory of the victims, Mr. Kagame announced a national mourning period of 100 days, by lighting the “Flame of Hope” which will burn for 100 days, the duration of the genocide in 1994 (April 7-July 15).
In a speech, the Rwandan president stated that commemorating this painful anniversary is not only an opportunity to honor the memory of the victims, but also to proudly showcase Rwanda’s achievements through choices made in the service of reconciliation and national progress.
“The Rwandans, who have managed to overcome fear, cannot face anything worse than what they have already experienced in this tragedy,” emphasized Mr. Kagame, asserting that the nation is ready to face any challenge and counter any attempt to regress the country or sow division among Rwandans.
He also expressed gratitude to the members of the delegations who came to show solidarity with Rwanda on the occasion of commemorating this painful event’s anniversary.
In 1994, Rwanda experienced an ethnic genocide, when extremist Hutus and the “Interahamwe” militias carried out a horrific massacre that resulted in more than 800,000 deaths, mostly Tutsis and moderate Hutus.
These massacres ended in July 1994 when the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), a rebel movement led by President Paul Kagame, took control of the country.
Today, Rwanda is considered a successful African model in terms of stability, development, governance, and growth due to policies implemented over three decades.
Read the original article(French) on Aujourdhui.ma
