Rwanda National Police

Rwandan Police and military peacekeepers serving under the UN Multi-dimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Central African Republic (MINUSCA) held a ceremony to pay tribute to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

The Kwibuka21 ceremony presided over by the Minister of Foreign Affairs in CAR, Toussaint Doudou Kongo, was held on April 7 at the Base Camp of Rwandan Battalion (RWABATT2), and attended by the Rwandan Diaspora in CAR.

 The Rwandan community was also joined by other peacekeepers serving in CAR headed by the Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in CAR, Aurelian Abgenonci, Gen. Martin Chomu Tumenta, MINUSCA Force Commander, local leaders and residents.

Minister Kongo noted that Genocide was a catastrophic event but "Rwandans decided to unite and live in harmony, which is a lesson to other countries in conflict all over the world."

 "Having emerged from a Genocide that threatened to destroy it forever, Rwanda is now an active participant in maintaining world peace and is one of the biggest contributors of peacekeepers in the world," he said.

 "Let us all unite against differences that threaten to destroy us, just like Rwandans united after the Genocide to rebuild their country and make remarkable achievements."

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP)Gilbert Gumira, the contingent commander of Rwanda Formed Police Unit in MINUSCA, said that the world has a challenge of fighting ideologies that deny the existence of the genocide and those that seek to justify it.

 "Rwanda is still facing the challenge of individuals, organizations and groups of people who disrespect the Genocide by altering facts and seeking to negate the memory of those we lost. We should all come together and fight this negative and inhumane behavior that disrespects our country's history and current achievements," he said.

He reminded participants that the world needs to emphasize "Never Again" and together take a stand to fight against genocide and crimes against humanity.

Every year, Rwandans and friends of Rwanda come together to pay tribute to over one million innocent Rwandans killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, known in Kinyarwanda as Kwibuka.

This year's Kwibuka21, held at Umudugudu (Village) level, is dedicated to fighting genocide denial and revisionism.