The event held in the Beninese Commercial Capital of Cotonou on Sunday May 28, 2023, was attended by officials of the Government of Benin, members of the Diplomatic Corps, UN family, Friends of Rwanda and the general members of the Rwandan community living and working in the country.

It was held under the commemoration theme: ‘Remember, Unite, Renew’.

Referred to as Kwibuka in Kinyarwanda, remembering the Genocide against the Tutsi offers a platform to honour the lives of the over a million lives lost and to accord them the dignity they were stripped of by the cold-hearted manner in which they were killed, and to recommit to the resolve to prevent similar atrocities anywhere in the world.

Mr. Theophile Rurangwa, Chargé d’Affaires at the High Commission of Rwanda in Ghana, who represented the Government of Rwanda at the event, thanked the participants for joining Rwandans in honoring the memory of the over one million innocent lives lost to the genocide against the Tutsi.

He also emphasized the need for all leaders to strive for justice and ensure that all perpetrators of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi who are living in impunity three decades later are brought to book.

In this, he also highlighted the growing prevalence of genocide denial and revisionism and asked the International Community to uphold the fight against the ideology of genocide, particularly that which continues to be directed at the Tutsi including currently in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Rwanda has over the last few decades been firm on the protection of civilians in any armed conflict including many where the country has been a troop contributor and calls upon the world to always stand with targeted communities and prevent genocide before it becomes too late like was the case when Rwandans were abandoned by the International Community in 1994.

The commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda also provides an opportunity to learn about Rwanda’s story of reconciliation and nation building, which has been led by Rwandans with the support of friends and partners.

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 massacred.

The event took place in Benin.

Participants also lit the flame of hope during the commemoration.

Commemoration activities in Rwanda begin on 7th-13th April and continue throughout the 100 days period ending on July 3rd.