Africa-Press – Rwanda. French Business Club in Rwanda (Club d’Affaires France-Rwanda – CAFR) visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial on May 9 to honour the memory of the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The delegation began their visit with a screening of a documentary on the Genocide, followed by a guided tour of the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where they learnt about the history of Rwanda and what happened during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
They then laid a wreath at the mass graves and observed a moment of silence in tribute to the more than one million lives lost.
The visit underscored the club’s recognition of Rwanda’s painful history and its commitment to standing in solidarity with survivors, promoting remembrance, and supporting the country’s ongoing journey towards unity, dignity, and lasting peace.
Stéphane Lebrec, First Counselor at the French Embassy in Rwanda, said the memorial visit remains a powerful experience, even after multiple visits, adding that each visit offers new insights into Rwanda’s history, particularly the Genocide and the country’s long path to healing.
“It’s always an intense experience. Even after several visits, I continue to learn new things, not only about the Genocide, but about how Rwanda has worked to recover. Every official or community visit must include this moment of remembrance and learning,” he said.
Members of the French Business Club observe a moment of silence to honour the victims.
Lebrec added that the French community’s participation in Kwibuka 31 reflects their ongoing solidarity with the Rwandan people.
Sophie Tchatchoua, President of the French Business Club, described the experience as deeply emotional, emphasising the importance of remembrance as both a personal and collective duty.
“Even after the fifth or sixth visit, you never come out the same, and you don’t get used to that kind of horror. Each time, it hits you differently,” she said.
She also added that the presence of the business club at various memorials each year reflects their long-term commitment to standing with survivors and honouring the memory of the victims.
“We come in solidarity, and sometimes you wonder if this is the country where all of this happened? Because of how it has developed and now we say ‘never again’, it’s important that we remain united, and that we protect the peace Rwanda has worked so hard to achieve,” she noted.
The French Business Club in Rwanda (Club d’Affaires France-Rwanda – CAFR) is a network of French companies operating in Rwanda, established to promote economic diplomacy and encourage investment from French businesses. Through its activities, the club fosters business ties between France and Rwanda, offering a platform for collaboration, dialogue, and mutual growth.
Beyond commercial objectives, the club actively engages in Rwanda’s national events and commemorative periods like Kwibuka, reflecting its broader commitment to solidarity, cultural integration, and shared values.
The delegation during a guided tour of the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where they learnt about the history of Rwanda and what happened during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Officials from French Business Club in Rwanda lay a wreath at Kigali Genocide Memorial to pay tribute to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi on May 9. Photos by Dan Gatsinzi
Mourners pose for a group photo after a guided tour of the Kigali Genocide Memorial.
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