UN: Genocide against Tutsi premeditated act of hatred

The United Nations now says the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda was a dark chapter in history and not an isolated event.

Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the unfortunate occurrence was a result of premeditated acts of hatred that resonates with the current global climate of division and intolerance.

In a statement during the 31st anniversary at the United Nations Headquarters in Nairobi, Guterres urged all nations to uphold their commitments to preventing such atrocities in the future.

Over 600 attendees came together to remember the day. The event brought together a diverse group, including the Rwandan community in Kenya, friends of Rwanda, diplomats, and Kenyan government officials, all united in remembrance and reflection.

The genocide occurred from 7 April to 19 July 1994 during the Rwandan Civil War.

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For around 100 days, members of the Tutsi ethnic group, as well as some moderate Hutu and Twa, were systematically killed by Hutu militias.

While the Rwandan Constitution states that over 1 million people were killed, most scholarly estimates suggest between 500,000 and 662,000 Tutsi died, mostly men.

The genocide was marked by extreme violence, with victims often murdered by neighbors, and widespread sexual violence, with between 250,000 and 500,000 women raped.

The genocide was rooted in long-standing ethnic tensions, exacerbated by the Rwandan Civil War, which began in 1990 when the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), a predominantly Tutsi rebel group, invaded Rwanda from Uganda.

The war reached a tentative peace with the Arusha Accords in 1993.

However, the assassination of President Juvénal Habyarimana on 6 April 1994 ignited the genocide, as Hutu extremists used the power vacuum to target Tutsi and moderate Hutu leaders.

Despite the scale of the atrocities, the international community failed to intervene to stop the killings.

But Guterres emphasised the importance of never forgetting the atrocities committed.

“Today we mourn the one million children, women, and men slaughtered in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda,” Guterres said.

While highlighting the need for collective responsibility, Guterres called on the international community to combat hate speech and ensure accountability, stressing that “the darkest impulses of humanity are being awakened once more.”

Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Kenya, Martin Ngoga, conveyed heartfelt gratitude to those present for their solidarity.

Ngoga reflected on the resilience of survivors who have shown remarkable strength in rebuilding their lives and communities after the genocide.

"We honor the memory of the innocent lives lost, but we also celebrate the unyielding spirit of the Rwandan people," he said.

The Ambassador called for ongoing cooperation among African nations to prevent conflict and promote sustainable peace and emphasised the critical role of education in fostering a culture of tolerance and understanding.

His sentiments were echoed by Ambassador Dennis Mburu, the Director for Africa in the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who also reiterated Kenya’s commitment to supporting international efforts in promoting justice and reconciliation.

"Today, we reaffirm our dedication to ensuring that the lessons of the past are never forgotten," Muri stated.

He highlighted Kenya's active role in strengthening peace and security mechanisms across the continent to combat hate and discrimination.