Alice Wairimu Nderitu, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, raised urgent concerns about global security issues, particularly in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), during her remarks at a conference that commenced on November 4, 2024, in Kigali.
The gathering unites women from various nations affected by war and conflicts with the potential for genocide. Organized by the United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention in collaboration with the AEGIS Trust, the conference aims to tackle unresolved cases from the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and promote peace and reconciliation.
Freddy Mutanguha, Executive Director of AEGIS Trust, expressed hope that the conference would provide critical insights for enhancing peace efforts across the region.
In her address, Nderitu emphasized the need for action beyond rhetoric, highlighting the significance of the slogan “Never Again,” which stresses that atrocities must not be repeated. She pointed to the ongoing tensions in eastern Congo as a troubling reminder of past genocides, particularly the violence against the Tutsi.
Nderitu highlighted the alarming rise in inflammatory rhetoric in the DRC, which seeks to sow division among communities and incite hostility toward the Tutsi population. The conference aims to address these critical issues and foster dialogue among participants to prevent further escalation of violence.
As global leaders and activists gather in Kigali, the conference serves as a vital platform for raising awareness and creating actionable strategies to combat the threats of genocide and ensure a more peaceful future for all.
