Rwandan community and peacekeepers in South Sudan commemorate the 30th anniversary of 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi

On 7th April 2024, Rwandan community, Rwandan peacekeepers in South Sudan and friends of Rwanda commemorated the 30th anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. The commemoration was held at the UN Thongping Base Camp in Juba.

The commemoration was attended by South Sudan Vice President, HE Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior, the High Commissioner of Rwanda to Uganda and Republic of South Sudan, HE Col (Rtd) Joseph Rutabana accompanied by Col Emmanuel Ruzindana, the Defence Attache, the Deputy Special Representative of Secretary General for the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, Mr Guang Cong, Monsignor Paul Strejak, Apostolic Nunciature in South Sudan among other key guests including South Sudan Government Officials, Diplomatic Corps, UNMISS leadership and staff as well as UN Agencies officials.

In her remarks, Vice President HE Rebecca Nyandeng expressed that the Genocide against the Tutsi was a failure for the whole humanity as it happened while the World was watching and did not act to stop it.  She commended Rwanda for remarkable progress, resilience and reconciliation after the Genocide; specifically for empowering the youth and women in rebuilding the country and being agents of peace and reconciliation. She said that South Sudan stands with Rwanda in fighting genocide ideology and called for other African leaders to take a firm stand against the rising of hate speech, intolerance, conflicts and violence.

The High Commissioner of Rwanda to Uganda and South Sudan, HE (Col Rtd) Joseph Rutabana, in his remarks, reiterated that the 30th Commemoration marks a generational cycle since the Genocide against the Tutsi was stopped, and it's an opportune time for a call to reflect on the transformational journey that Rwanda has undergone for the last 30 years, building on the legacy of strength, resilience, and unity that the new generation is called upon to sustain and carry forward to adapt to today's global challenges and future aspirations.  

He later expressed that as the victim of the failure of the International Community to protect people who were in dire need, Rwanda has been and will remain committed to contribute peacekeepers to protect lives in conflict situations.

The representative of Rwandan Community to South Sudan, Mrs. Juliette Murekeyisoni, welcomed the guests and shared with them that with new transformation after the Genocide, Rwanda has become a beacon of hope and resilience and serves as a lesson to other countries.

A separate commemoration was also organised by Rwandan community and peacekeepers in Torit, Yambio, Kuajok, Bentiu, Bor, Rumbek Malakal in South Sudan.