Kigali, 31 May 2019

In the afternoon of Friday 31 May, 22 experts from the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM) visited the Kigali Genocide memorial and Campaign Against Genocide Museum to learn more about the history of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

The group began their visit at Kigali Genocide Memorial site by laying wreaths on the mass graves, which is the final resting place for over 250,000 Genocide victims, followed by a tour to the Campaign Against Genocide Museum to learn more about how the Genocide was executed. 

Speaking shortly after the visit, Colonel Leo Mahoungou, EJVM Commander called upon member states and Africa, in general, to ensure that Genocide never happens any whenever in the world again. “I am extremely moved by what happened here in Rwanda and I hope that genocide never happens again in any other part of the world,” Col Mahoungou said.

EJVM Commander also advised all those countries still locked in conflicts to use Rwanda as a benchmark on how to overcome their conflicts. “Through the great leadership of His Excellency Paul Kagame, Rwanda has managed not long after the genocide to reunite and focus on one destiny. It is absolutely a big lesson for all of us,” he said.

The EJVM is a mechanism of the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) composed of military officers from the 12 member countries that is charged with monitoring and verification of border violations between DRC and neighbouring countries.

ICGLR member countries are Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Republic of South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Zambia.