Rwanda’s Prime Minister, Justin Nsengiyumva, has called for continued vigilance against genocide ideology, emphasizing that the country’s hard-earned progress must be safeguarded through unity, truth, and self-reliance.
Speaking during the 32nd commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, held at the Ngororero Genocide Memorial, the Prime Minister underscored that Rwanda’s recovery journey carries both hope and responsibility.
He stated that Rwanda’s deliberate national choices provide strong confidence that genocide will never happen again. However, he cautioned that this commitment requires rejecting complacency and actively confronting those who continue to spread genocide ideology, particularly in the region.
“We must not relax,” he said. “There are still individuals who do not wish our country well. Some continue to deny the genocide and promote its ideology, especially in neighboring regions.”
A Memorial of Tragedy and Reflection
The Ngororero Genocide Memorial, where the commemoration took place, is the final resting place of more than 14,500 victims. Many were brutally killed on April 10, 1994, after seeking refuge in a building belonging to the former MRND party, where they were later burned alive.
The site stands as a solemn reminder of the horrors endured and the importance of preserving memory.
“Homegrown Solutions After the Storm”
Prime Minister Nsengiyumva highlighted a key lesson from Rwanda’s history, using a proverb that underscores resilience: “homegrown solutions come after the storm.”
He explained that Rwanda’s path forward depends on eliminating any conditions that could allow genocide ideology to resurface, while promoting a culture of hard work and self-reliance.
He also urged young people to take an active role in learning the country’s history and confronting misinformation, particularly on digital platforms. Parents, he added, must ensure that future generations understand the truth about what happened.
Honoring Courage and Unity
The Prime Minister praised the courage of the Nyange students, who famously refused to separate along ethnic lines during an attack, choosing unity over division. Their actions, he noted, remain a powerful symbol of national resilience and identity.
Ngororero’s Painful History
Ngororero District leaders detailed the scale of violence experienced in the region. Mayor Christophe Nkusi revealed that more than 57,000 victims of the genocide have been identified in the district and buried across seven memorial sites.
He noted that persecution and killings of Tutsi began as early as 1990, years before the genocide reached its peak in 1994. Many victims who sought safety in local administrative buildings were instead massacred.
Call for Truth and Dignified Burials
Local authorities emphasized that some victims’ remains have yet to be recovered. Residents were urged to come forward with information to ensure proper and dignified burials.
“Providing information helps heal families and strengthens our unity as a nation,” Mayor Nkusi said.
Regional Concerns and Ongoing Threats
Prime Minister Nsengiyumva also warned that genocide ideology continues to be propagated beyond Rwanda’s borders, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He expressed concern that such threats persist despite global awareness of past failures to intervene.
He stressed that Rwanda’s unwavering stance remains clear: the Genocide against the Tutsi must never happen again.
A Commitment to Remembrance and Progress
Officials from IBUKA highlighted that Ngororero’s history is particularly significant because killings began well before 1994, illustrating the long buildup to the genocide.
Despite the region’s painful past—including post-genocide attacks by insurgent groups—leaders noted that stability has been restored and development continues.
As Rwanda commemorates 32 years since the genocide, the message from Ngororero was clear: remembrance must be matched with action.
The country’s leadership continues to call on citizens—especially the younger generation—to protect the truth, reject division, and build a future grounded in unity, resilience, and accountability.
