Washington DC April 7th, 2024 - The Embassy of Rwanda in the United States launched the week-long commemoration of the 1994 Genocide Against Tutsi, in Washington DC, with a call on the Rwandan community and friends of Rwanda to take a moment and honor victims and survivors of this horrific slaughter that left over 1 million people dead. 

The event at the Embassy that included flying the Rwandan flag at half-mast, lighting the flame of hope and paying tribute to the victims kick-starts more commemoration events planned across the US, including the main one at Capitol Hill on April 15th.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Mathilde Mukantabana re-echoed H.E President Paul Kagame message to all Rwandans and Africans in general of finding dignity in themselves and knowing well that “only we can give value to our lives.” 

“Like our President said today, our hearts are filled with grief and gratitude, in equal measure,” Amb. Mukantabana said. “But as we remember the dead, we also give thanks for what Rwanda has become.”

“In the same spirit, Let’s join hands in our respective communities during this time of remembrance as we honor victims, comfort survivors, and sustain our national unity that is at the core of Rwanda’s stability and progress.”

Mrs. Bernadette Denis, representing the Ibuka US chapter, expressed gratitude to RPF-Inkotanyi for stopping the Genocide. She emphasized the unimaginable suffering, pain, and trauma endured by survivors but yet have gone ahead to muster the strength to reconstruct their lives, forgive perpetrators, transcending hatred and division to embrace peace and reconciliation. 

Different commemoration events are planned across many states in the US. A dozen higher education institutions like Harvard University, Catholic University of America, University of Central Arkansas, have expressed interest in hosting commemoration events alongside members of the Rwandan community in the US. 

Amb. Mukantabana called on all Rwandans and friends of Rwanda in the US to actively participate in these events planned within the 100 days and to specifically challenge the few Genocide deniers that have found a trade in spreading hate narrative and distorting the truth about our history. 

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