On the 11th of May 2018, youth convened in Camp Kigali, in a commemorative event to remember their peers who were killed in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The event was organized by the Ministry of Youth and National Youth Council, in partnership with Never Again Rwanda.
As the young people came in big numbers, they represented the true reflection of those who stopped the Genocide as was pointed out by the Minister of Defense, Gen. James Kabarebe. “Rwandan youth today are a true reflection of the youth that stopped Genocide. It’s a confirmation that Rwandans will be safe today and in the future.”
At the event, youth were reminded that Rwanda may not change its dark past that was marred by killings and brutal murders of the Genocide, but the youth can change the future of the country. Youth were urged to combine their efforts in the fight against Genocide ideology but also to protect what the country has achieved years after the tragic past. “Genocide ideology is like cancer; never say that it is minimal or small, we have to always detect it everywhere we are, at work, school and even at church and fight it. It is our worst enemy” Gen. Kabarebe added.
Grace Usanase shared the importance of remembering youth who were killed in the Genocide by saying that “Remembering our peers helps us to learn the past history of our country and to take measures that genocide will never happen again. This can be achieved through commemoration dialogues, work to remember that enhances our critical thinking”. Mugabo Robert also noted that this commemoration means a lot to youth, as it deepens their understanding of what happened and the effects of the genocide.
The Minister of Youth, Hon. Rosemary Mbabazi lauded the youth for participating in the commemoration dialogues, supporting vulnerable survivors and thus encouraged them to be united and build the country. She also cautioned youth that although they had no role in what the country endured, they can reshape the future to a peaceful country. “We are remembering the youth who were killed in the Genocide against the Tutsi; we are striving to make sure that youth from different backgrounds are united. They had no role in what the country endured; they can reshape the future to a peaceful country”.
Rémy Ntamakemwa, the representative of Ibuka Rwanda echoed the need to strengthen the study of the genocide history in schools, as a tool to educate further generations on prevention. “I call upon the government to strengthen genocide history in schools, as a channel to inform the next generation about what happened and to ensure that it will never happen again”.
Never Again Rwanda was commended as one of the active partners that give the platform to the young people to enhance their understanding on the history of genocide, peace building and conflict prevention. The event was comprised of testimonies, walk to remember, the signing of a generation promise (Igihango cy’urungano), aimed at making a commitment to fight against Genocide ideology but also combine their efforts in building the peaceful society.