President Paul Kagame on Wednesday officiated at the ceremony of the 27th commemoration of the Genocide against Tutsi, addressing participants at an event at Kigali Arena he said that this may be the 27th time commemorating but the occasion is never ordinary.
Kagame said there are always reminders of what is at stake, new mass graves are regularly discovered and many perpetrators still roam free.
He said that no one should have the fear to counter those who deny the history of the genocide against Tutsi. “For those deniers, if they have no shame, why should I have fear?”
The activities for the 27th commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi started this Wednesday at the Kigali genocide memorial centre in Gisozi where President Kagame and First Lady ignited the Flame of Hope.
According to the President, the country has come from very far but Rwanda today is unquestionably more united and forward-looking than ever before. He said was particularly referring to the youth, who are the vast majority of the population.
“Kwibuka challenges us to reflect on the context of the present moment, as well as the cumulative history that has led us here,” he underlined.
Rwanda is holding the commemoration during the Covid-19 pandemic for the second time which requires physical distancing and other preventive measures that are said to add to the emotional burden on survivors.
Therefore, the 27th commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi will be conducted mostly virtually to contain the spread of Covid-19 pandemic. Most of activities will be followed on radio, television and social media.
