Rwandans living in Benin have held events for the 30^th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in which they were joined by officials of the Government of Benin, members of the Diplomatic and International Community as well as compatriot Rwandans living in neighboring Togo.

Commemoration started with a “walk to remember” followed by an official ceremony where those gathered in the Beninese Commercial Capital of Cotonou paid tribute to the over 1 million innocent lives that were killed and reflected on the history of the Genocide against the Tutsi through the testimony of one of its survivors Mr. Pacifique Kayihura and presentations made.

Those gathered were informed about the continued fight against the denial and revision of the Genocide against the Tutsi and were called on to be advocates for justice to bring to book fugitives who are still at large around the world.

30^th Commemoration activities – known as Kwibuka30 in Kinyarwanda, are held under the theme: ‘Remember, Unite, Renew’.

At the ceremony, High Commissioner Rosemary Mbabazi who is accredited Rwanda’s Ambassador to Benin told participants that remembrance is a responsibility owed first to the innocents killed during the Genocide and secondly to young and future generations.

“When we remember, it is not to bring back bitter memories of the pain and suffering that Rwandans endured 30 years ago. We remember to honor the lives of the loved ones we lost who can never be replaced. We also remember for the sake of our young and future generations because as the world has seen many times before, forgetfulness gives birth to repetition. Given our collective human history, the Genocide against the Tutsi should not have happed but because it did, Rwanda has committed to raising awareness to the causes and effects of genocide so that together, we may prevent it from happening again elsewhere.”

Emphasizing the importance of remembrance, the High Commissioner pointed to the denial and revisionism of the Genocide against the Tutsi which is one of the ways in which perpetrators of genocide and their accomplices use to erase the memory of their actions and by so doing bring facts into disrepute.

“Denial is a product of the same ideology that leads to genocide, and both must be relentlessly fought”.

To be able to fight denial and revisionism, participants were encouraged to learn more about the history of the Genocide against the Tutsi which happened in Africa just three decades ago, to teach this to younger generations by including it in their academic materials and working with Rwandans to establish lasting monuments to remind many of what happened.

The commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda also provides an opportunity to learn about Rwanda’s story of reconciliation and nation building, which has been led by Rwandans with the support of friends and partners.

Ambassador Martinien AKO, the Deputy Secretary General in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Benin who read the keynote message from the Beninese Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Olushegun Adjadi Bakari noted that the people of Benin share in heavy emotions imposed on the collective human conscience by the Genocide against the Tutsi.

He also commended Rwanda’s recovery despite the deep destruction dealt by the Genocide against the Tutsi on the country’s social and economic fabric and registered Beninese pride in Rwanda’s rebirth.

“It is encouraging how Rwanda under visionary & patriotic leaders has reconstructed itself in stability, unity, and harmony. Benin rejoices in the effort of the Rwandan people who have transformed their destiny; making the country an example of economic and technological progress.”

This year, the Republic of Benin expressed solidarity with Rwanda on April 7^th when the Amazone Monument in Cotonou was lit in the colors of the national flag of Rwandan colors in the night of April 7^th in remembrance of the Genocide against the Tutsi.

Also, Her Excellency Mariam Chabi Talata Zimé Yérima, Vice President of the Republic of Benin led a delegation to Rwanda on April 7^th to stand with Rwandans during the national ceremony for the 30^th commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Kigali.