Rwandans residing in Egypt, alongside several high-ranking officials from the Egyptian government, convened on April 20 in Cairo to pay tribute to victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Not only a commemoration, the event urged the international community to be vigilant against genocides and ensure they are either prevented or stopped from ever happening again, The New Times, Rwanda’s largest daily newspaper reported on Sunday, April 21.
Among the attendees were distinguished military officers from the Egyptian army, ambassadors, attachés, and representatives from various multilateral organizations. Deputy Assistant Minister for Nile Basin Countries Ambassador Saafat Ahmed, attended the event, noting that the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi “stirs grief in our hearts, yet also instills hope that such tragedy can be prevented through collective learning from past mistakes.”
Ahmed underscored Rwanda’s remarkable journey toward recovery, commending the resilience and unity demonstrated by its people under the leadership of President Paul Kagame.
He remarked that Rwanda has transformed into an inspirational success story and a model of progress admired worldwide. Highlighting the growing relations between Egypt and Rwanda, he mentioned Egypt’s oversight of the construction of a cardiac hospital, a testament to the strengthening ties between the two nations.
However, Ahmed cautioned against complacency, emphasizing that the echoes of the genocide still reverberate across the region three decades later. He called upon the international community to redouble its efforts to prevent violence and hatred wherever they may arise, echoing the sentiment of collective responsibility to ensure such atrocities are never repeated.
Dr. Mohamadou Labarang, the dean of African Ambassadors in Egypt, also paid homage to the victims of the 1994 Genocide and praised Rwandans for their commitment to unity and the construction of an inclusive and peaceful society.
He emphasized that 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi people was not an isolated event but rather a culmination of deep-seated ethnic divisions exacerbated by historical colonial legacies and divisive politics.