Preventing genocide: A shared duty to honour the past and safeguard the future

Pretoria –In a solemn ceremony held in Pretoria, the Rwanda High Commission, in partnership with the United Nations in South Africa, hosted the 31st commemoration of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi, Kwibuka31. The event brought together representatives from the government, the diplomatic corps, the Rwandan diaspora, civil society, and friends of Rwanda to honour the memory of more than one million lives lost and to reflect on the imperative to prevent genocide.

The commemoration began with a welcoming address by Nelson Muffuh, the Resident Coordinator and head of the UN in South Africa, who reflected on Rwanda’s remarkable transformation and the enduring significance of remembering. 

“We recognize the resilient journey of the Rwandan people towards healing, restoration, and reconciliation,” he said. “Rwanda today stands as a powerful testament of the human spirit’s ability to heal even the deepest wounds and emerge from the darkest depths to rebuild a stronger society.”

Highlighting this year’s theme, “Preventing Genocide: A Shared Duty”, Mr. Muffuh reminded his audience that history has taught the world the dangerous consequences of silence, indifference, and inaction.

The Resident Coordinator reiterated the words of the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, urging people to “deliver on commitments made in the Global Digital Compact to tackle online falsehoods and hate, to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law, and to become parties to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide without delay.”

In his keynote address, the High Commissioner of Rwanda to South Africa, Emmanuel Hategeka, emphasized the need to remember the truth of what occurred in 1994 — the systematic and targeted extermination of the Tutsi people. He noted that acknowledging the facts is a foundational step in both healing and prevention. 

Ambassador Hategeka said Rwanda’s genocide taught that national unity, justice, and truth were essential for lasting peace, adding that through initiatives like Ndi Umunyarwanda (feeling Rwandan identity) and Gacaca courts (a type of justice reserved for lower-level offenders who were remorseful for their role in the genocide), the country chose reconciliation over revenge. He emphasized that globally, Rwanda’s experience is a reminder of the need for early action, education, and remembrance to prevent future atrocities. 

The Ambassador urged collective efforts to ensure that future generations will not gather to mourn another genocide, but instead celebrate humanity's victory over hatred. Following his remarks, attendees were moved by a poignant Rwandan documentary depicting the genocide, which featured powerful visuals and survivor testimonies. The screening fostered a profound silence, serving as a stark reminder in the room, highlighting the devastating consequences of hatred and division.

A key moment of the event was the panel discussion, which explored the legacy of the genocide from various perspectives. Moderated by Mduduzi Ntuli, the conversation began with a quote from Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame's speech at the 20th commemoration of the genocide: 

"We cannot change the past, but neither do we deny it. We cannot restore what we have lost. But it is within our power to ensure that no one ever has to endure what we endured."

The panel discussion served as both a reminder and a roadmap, emphasizing that Rwanda’s transformation was not a matter of chance, but a deliberate choice.