Rwandans from six West African nations gathered to mark the 28th anniversary of Rwanda's 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, with a plea for everyone to commit to fighting genocide ideology and denial.
The memorial ceremony was held in Ghana's capital, Accra, and was organized by the Rwandan Communities in Ghana, Benin, Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Togo in collaboration with the Rwandan High Commission in Ghana.
Remember, Unite, and Renew was the theme of the event.
High-level politicians like Ghana's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, and Rwanda's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Dr. Vincent Biruta, joined Rwandans living in West African nations to observe the event.
The ceremony was attended by Ghana's Deputy Minister of Tourism, Mark Okraku Mantey, and Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Alfred Tuah-Yeboah, as well as top government officials, diplomats, and members of the Rwandan Community and Friends of Rwanda.
Remembering the genocide against the Tutsi, known in Kinyarwanda as Kwibuka, provides a venue to honour the lives of the over a million who perished and to restore the dignity taken away from them by the cold-hearted manner in which they were slain.
Dr. Vincent Biruta, who delivered a virtual keynote presentation during the memorial, said the period is a time to commemorate the innocent lives lost, console survivors of genocide, and embrace Rwanda's togetherness and rehabilitation.
Rwandans and partners meet in Ghana to mourn the 1994 Tutsi massacre.
Vincent Biruta, M.D.
"All nations bear responsibility for preserving the victims' memory by supporting the battle against genocide deniers, revisionists, and others who trivialize genocide."
"In this celebration, recollection, and sustaining of togetherness, resolve of regeneration, and road to recovery, Rwanda has been joined by many friends from across the world." As we continue to recover as a country, we must also battle against the final phases of genocide, which include denial, revisionism, distortion, and trivialization of the Tutsi massacre.