Rwanda

Thank you for your invitation and your collective efforts to address the crisis in South Sudan.

Let me begin by saying I was not planning to be in Kigali, but I am here because there is a crisis and I am here because we need to urgently address it together.

I know many of you have worked hard to secure peace for the world’s youngest country – and I know all of us agree that we cannot afford South Sudan slipping back into a civil war.

Mr. Jean de Dieu Mucyo, Executive Secretary of the Commission for the Fight Against Genocide,
Professor Anastase Shyaka, CEO of the Rwanda Governance Board,
Dear Members of the families of our fallen colleagues,
Mr . Lamin Manneh, UN Resident Coordinator,
Ms. Gisele Rutayisire, Chair of the Staff Association,
Dear colleagues and friends,

Today has been a profoundly moving day of reflection, remembrance and renewal for the people of Rwanda and, indeed, the international community.

(Scroll down for French version)

Kuri jye, ni icyubahiro cyinshi kuba ndi kumwe namwe kuri uyu munsi ukomeye mu mateka y'u Rwanda.

[I am deeply honoured to be here on this important day for Rwanda.]

I am profoundly honoured and humbled to join the people of Rwanda and so many leaders from around the world.

The genocide in Rwanda that targetted the Tutsi was one of the darkest chapters in human history.

More than 800,000 people were systematically killed – overwhelmingly the Tutsi, and also moderate Hutu, Twa and others.

It is a great pleasure for me to visit Rwanda many times, but this time, I am visiting with much more solemn and firm, determined will to learn more and to disseminate the lessons of Rwandan Genocide which happened 20 years ago.

Tomorrow, in the ceremony, I am going to pay my deepest tribute to the families and relatives of those victims. At the same time, I am going to reaffirm the international community’s strong commitment that “never again” - this should never happen in human history.

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen,

We have had a busy and productive visit to Rwanda.

I thank the government and people for their hospitality.

In the span of a few hours, we met ex-combatants benefiting from physical and social rehabilitation.

We paid our deepest respects at the Gisozi Genocide Memorial.

We visited a One-Stop centre for victims of gender-based violence and laid the foundation for a new Centre of Excellence to help end violence against women and girls in conflict situations.

It is a profound honour to join you as we lay the foundation stone for this vital centre of excellence.

I see reflected in all of you, Rwanda’s strong political commitment to prevent and combat violence against women and children.

I thank President Kagame and his Government, including the members of the Security Organs.

The United Nations System has been your long-term partner in addressing all forms of violence against women and children in Rwanda.

And you have made a profound difference.

This is my third visit, and the second time as Secretary-General.

Each time I have been moved to tears.

Last month I attended a solemn commemoration of the Rwandan genocide in New York.

We paid tribute to the hundreds of thousands of people murdered simply because of their identity.

And we acknowledged the courage and -- in many cases -- sacrifice of those who tried to shelter the victims and resist the killing.

This memorial stands on sacred ground where a quarter of a million people lie buried.