In a solemn ceremony at the United Nations General Assembly Hall, the Permanent Mission of Sierra Leone to the UN, represented by Ambassador and Permanent Representative, H.E. Dr. Michael Imran Kanu, join the Mission of Rwanda, member States of the UN, the UN Secretariat, survivors, and Rwandese community to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
The solemn day of remembrance and commemoration was attended by high-level dignitaries, including the UN Secretary-General, H.E. Antonio Gutierres, the President of the General Assembly, H.E. Dennis Francis, the Permanent Observer of the African Union, H.E. Fatima Kyari Mohammed, and Honorable Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Rwanda, who all delivered statements.
There was a testimony from Mr. Claver Irakoze, songwriter,
author of ‘That Child is Me and Transmitting Memories in Rwanda’, and Founder of Umurage.
There were special messages from Rwandan children and participants reflected on the devastating events that occurred in Rwanda in 1994, where over 800,000 Tutsi, moderate Hutus and those who opposed the genocide lost their lives, and many more were displaced and affected.
In his remarks, the UN Secretary-General, H.E. Antonio Gutierres emphasized the need for the international community to learn from the lessons of the Rwanda genocide and work towards preventing such tragedies in the future.
He also highlighted the importance of promoting peace, justice, and human rights for all.
The theme for the 30-year commemoration, #Kwibuka30, is Remember, Unite, Renew.
The memorial ceremony was organized by the Department of Global Communications and the Permanent Mission of Rwanda to the United Nations.
