More than five hundred people including members of the diplomatic corps, Rwanda diaspora, students, media personnel, civil society and UN staff participated in a commemorative event to mark the 31st International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsis in Rwanda at the United Nations Office at Nairobi on 07 April 2025.
The event which was guided by the theme; “Remember, Unite, Renew” was led by the UNON Director-General and Under-Secretary-General, Mrs. Zainab Hawa Bangura in collaboration with the Rwanda High Commission in Kenya.
Participants lit candles to symbolize hope and to pay tribute to the victims. Key remarks were given.
UNON’s Director-General readout the UN Secretary-General’s statement which stated in part stated, “We must learn from the terrible history of the genocide in Rwanda, and act to stem the tide of hate speech, stop disunity and discontent mutating into violence, uphold human rights, and ensure accountability.”
The Ambassador of the Rwanda High Commission in Kenya, H.E Martin Ngoga called on all those aiding fugitives and genocide perpetrators to prosecute them in their countries when they fail to return them to Rwanda to face justice. He further urged all those supporting genocide ideologies to stop doing so.
Ambassador Ngoga further called for unity among African states while emphasising that, “We must confront hatred and downplay atrocities which are dangerous foundations for future violence.” The High Commissioner urged those present to stand firm against hate speech and to have a moral obligation to do what is right.
Participants also listened to the testimony of a female witness named Dimitrie Sissi Mukanyiligira who is also the author of the book titled, “Do not accept to Die.” Dimitrie testified on how she managed to survive the ordeals and atrocities of the intentionally planned genocide that targeted mainly Tutsis.
The Government of Kenya was represented by the Deputy Director General, Africa Affairs Directorate of the State Department for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dennis Mburu, who officiated on behalf of the Principal Secretary Dr. Korir Sing’Oei. In his remarks, Ambassador Dennis reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to ensuring that the lessons of the past are never forgotten and in supporting international efforts in promoting justice and reconciliation.
The annual commemoration which serves as a solemn reminder of the atrocities committed in Rwanda during the 1994 Genocide, reinforced the collective responsibility of the international community to end acts of genocide and ideologies that support genocidaires. The event ended with a walk to remember the fallen victims which started from UNON Headquarters to The Rwanda High Commission offices along, Limuru Road, Kenya.
Background:
On 26 January 2018, the UN General Assembly adopted a revised draft resolution A/72/L, designating 7 April as the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. The new resolution amends the title of the annual observance, which was originally established on 23 December 2003 (A/RES/58/234) as International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda.
