Africa

I have visited Juba at this time. Thank you for your leadership and for your hospitality and also for receiving me at such a short time.

As you may remember, I was here three years ago at the time of independence ceremony. It was full of joy, excitement and hope for the better future of South Sudan. The whole international community was full of support and united.

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.

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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.

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Mbi bala ala kwe.

I am concluding a very moving visit to the Central African Republic. I thank the leaders and people of this country for their welcome.

I am encouraged by the resolve of the new Head of the Transition and her team.

I have come here on my way to Rwanda for a reason. I want to shine a spotlight on what is happening here.

I leave here with three messages.

The first is to the people of this country: You are not alone.

The United Nations is honoured to be by your side.

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Thank you for your welcome.

Thank you for helping to lead your country to recovery and reconciliation.

I come to the Central African Republic at a time of great upheaval.

There is a hole in the heart of Africa.

Every day, I wake up thinking about your trials and troubles.

Everywhere, I have called on leaders to step up their efforts.

Some say this is a forgotten crisis.

I am here to help make sure the world does not forget.

It is a great honour and pleasure for me to be back in Sierra Leone for the second time as Secretary-General of the United Nations . In fact, including my previous visit, this is my third visit. The first was in 2002 when I was working as Chief of Staff of the President of the General Assembly of The United Nations. I paid a visit to UNAMSIL at that time. In a UN capacity, this is my third visit. I am very pleased to be back.

I am honoured to join the Government and people of Sierra Leone in celebrating the completion of the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office, UNIPSIL.

I thank His Excellency President Koroma, the Government and the Sierra Leonean people for their warm welcome.

Today we celebrate the successful conclusion of the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office. This is a triumph for the people of Sierra Leone.

The UN is proud to have supported them – and we thank them for proving our value.

Sierra Leone saw many UN “firsts”.

This country hosted the UN’s first multi-dimensional peacekeeping operation with political, security, humanitarian and national recovery mandates.

I am deeply honoured to attend on behalf of the United Nations, this state memorial service for the later former President Nelson Mandela.

We join together in sorrow for a mighty loss and in celebration of a mighty life.

What a wondrous display of this rainbow nation.

In nature, a rainbow emerges from the rain and the sun. It is that blending of the symbols of grief and gratitude that I feel today.

Through the rain of sadness and the sun of celebration, a rainbow fills our hearts.

The world mourns the loss of Nelson Mandela, one of the towering figures of our time and indeed of any time.

We join together in sorrow for a mighty loss and in celebration of a mighty life.

Nelson Mandela's principled stand in defense of the fundamental equality of all human beings was decisive in dismantling the system of apartheid.

His remarkable compassion upon his release from prison after 27 years set South Africa immediately on a path of dialogue and reconciliation.

He was a giant for justice, equality and human rights.