Members of the diplomatic corps accredited to
Tanzania hold candles during commemoration of 1994 Rwanda genocide held
in Dar es Salaam yesterday. (Photo: Omar Fungo)
Speaking during the memorial event in Dar es Salaam yesterday, Minister of State, President's Office (Special Duties), Prof Mark Mwandosya called on the world to join hands in supporting the Rwandans in remembrance of the most tragic event where around 800,000 Tutsi and moderate Hutus lost their lives.
Prof Mwandosya insisted that students must be well informed on what happened in Rwanda and make sure that they will never get involved in the same killings in the future.
According to him, 48 per cent of the population in Rwanda is under 18 years that means they were born after the 1994 genocide.
Prof Mwandosya, applauded the government of Rwanda saying: “The Rwandan government has shown the world that it is possible to rise from the ashes to a nation that is built on strong foundation, with vibrant economy.”
On the bilateral relation between Rwanda and Tanzania, the Minister said the unity between the two countries is strong contrary to what is being highlighted by the media.
He said the two countries share a lot of things, including Kiswahili language, transport facilities through the central corridor and the port of Dar es Salaam. Tanzania provided safe haven for refugees from Rwanda, many of whom are now citizens of Tanzania.
He added that before the treaty of Versailles, Tanganyika, Rwanda and Burundi were one country, and thus share a common history and destiny.
For his part Rwanda High Commissioner to Tanzania, Benjamin Rugangazi said the massive killings were caused by the leadership that instead of building harmony and national unity, preached hatred that led to the genocide.
Acting UN Resident Coordinator and UNICEF Representative to Tanzania, Dr Jama Gulaid said the decision to commemorate the tragic event in Rwanda was made on December 23, 2003 when the United Nation General Assembly adopted Resolution and designated 7th of April as the international day for reflection on the genocide in Rwanda.
The theme for this year’s commemoration is ‘Kwibuka 20 Remember-unite-inspire’.
In Kigali the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told a packed stadium of sombre and weeping Rwandans yesterday that the world would "never again" let genocide tear their nation apart, at a ceremony marking 20 years since 800,000 people were butchered.
"We must not be left to utter the words 'never again', again and again," UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the crowd.
"Many United Nations personnel and others showed remarkable bravery. But we could have done much more. We should have done much more," he added, while citing new challenges in the region.
Conflicts rumble on in South Sudan and Central African Republic, while eastern Democratic Republic of Congo next door remains in turmoil.
Rwanda long complained that Western and other nations - with a few exceptions praised at the memorial - stood idle when massacres that erupted in April 1994 killed mostly people from the Tutsi minority but also moderates among the Hutu majority.
"Behind the words 'never again' there is a story whose truth must be told in full," the president told attendees, who watched performers dressed in grey symbolically re-enacting some of the horrors.
Rwandans carried out the genocide, "but the history and root causes go beyond this beautiful country," he said.
SOURCE:
THE GUARDIAN
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