Rwanda National Police

The Rwanda Police peacekeepers in Haiti were on April 7 joined by friends of Rwanda in the 21st commemoration event in honor of over one million lives killed in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

The commemoration held at Rwanda Formed Police Unit (RWAFPU) base camp located in the town of Jeremie in Grand’Anse Region, started with a Walk to Remember.

They were joined by Haitian government representatives and residents, officials from the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and delegations from Senegalese and UNPOL peacekeepers, among others.

The commemoration event was dedicated in prayers led by the clergy from the Catholic and Pentecostal churches.

Candles of Hope were lit and held by all participants and a minute of silence observed in remembrance of the genocide victims.

In his remarks, the Haitian representative, Saint Louis Rosni, said that "Haiti honors the lives of Rwandans that perished" and denounced the "tragedy of Genocide which had destroyed Rwanda."

He expressed disappointment and wondered why it happened in the presence of the whole international community, which could not help those who were in terrible circumstances.

In his remarks, Commissioner of Police (CP) Bruce Munyambo, Contingent Commander of RWAFPU5 in Haiti, thanked the guests who owed their time to stand with Rwanda in these moments of grief.

“This is the 21st year that Rwanda commemorates the Genocide atrocities committed against Tutsis. It is a tragedy that is considered as the worst horror of the modern human history. Remembrance of our beloved ones is therefore very important,” he said.

“Rwanda is now in development process and unity, and will continue to work in collaboration with friends of Rwanda, our brothers and sisters from all parts of the world to contribute to international peace.”

The commemoration activities also included spiritual hymns from a local choir, Elie Shadai, in remembrance of the genocide victims.