Rwanda, African Union to mark 27th commemoration of 1994 Genocide virtually

The Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department (PAPS) of the African Union Commission (AUC), in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda in Ethiopia and Djibouti; Permanent Mission to the African Union and UNECA will be having a virtual event to mark the 27th Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi in Rwanda.

Tomorrow, mark the beginning of the 100-day commemoration period for the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi in Rwanda. Join us @ https://t.co/sc7qzZFeCk #Kwibuka27

Register in advance for #Kwibuka27 webinar @ https://t.co/0IdMlfEroK pic.twitter.com/308rpNHdCN

— African Union (@_AfricanUnion) April 6, 2021

This event which will take place virtually on April 7, 2021, through the Zoom platform is centred on continuously awaken the greater consciousness of African peoples and the international community on the value of life and human dignity, and renewing a collective commitment to protect and uphold fundamental human rights.

This 27th edition of the Commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi is organized by the African Union Commission in collaboration with the authorities and members of the Rwandan community, and attended by officials from the AU Commission (AUC), AU member states, members of the diplomatic corps, AU organs, religious institutions, human rights institutions, intergovernmental organizations, civil society organizations, UN agencies, think tanks, international organizations and academic institutions in Ethiopia.

The programme themed, “Remember-Unite-Renew” will establish all the atrocities brought by the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda; reflect on the repercussions that the genocide against the Tutsi in 1994 had inside and outside Rwanda’s borders; unite together in the fight against genocide; genocide ideology as well as genocide denial; renew our resolve to ensure that genocide never happens again in Africa or elsewhere; collectively commit to justice and the fight against impunity.

The commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda is annually organised by the African Union following the African Union policy organ decision to recognise the 7th of April as a day of remembrance of the victims of the genocide and reaffirmation of Africa’s resolve to prevent and fight hate speech and genocide ideology on the continent.

The decision was adopted by the African Union Permanent Representatives Committee during its special session on the Commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

Suzan O/African Union Website