Africa-Press – Rwanda. As Rwanda and friends of Rwanda around the world mark the 31st commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, I&M Bank, formerly Banque Commerciale du Rwanda (BCR), has honoured the lives of 26 former staff members killed during the genocide. The bank’s leadership and staff, alongside families of the victims, came together to remember and reflect, highlighting the bank’s commitment to maintaining the country’s history.
Held on April 17 at the bank’s headquarters, the commemoration began with a wreath-laying ceremony at the bank’s memorial monument which bears the names of the 26 genocide victims. Officials in attendance included representatives from the City of Kigali and Ibuka, the association of genocide survivors.
Benjamin Mutimura, the CEO of I&M Bank Rwanda speaks at the commemoration event.
As part of the commemoration, there was a visit to Nyanza Genocide Memorial where the attendees lit candles of hope, and listened to a survivor’s testimony, among others. Benjamin Mutimura, the CEO of I&M Bank Rwanda, described the commemoration as a time of reflection and a recognition of shared values.
“Remembering and renewing ensure that those we lost are never forgotten. Commemorating is a commitment to pledge to fighting against any discrimination, hate, ethnic division, or anything that would break Rwandan unity,” Mutimura said.
He reaffirmed the Bank’s continued support to survivors and their families, not only through commemoration events, but through meaningful initiatives, including offering employment opportunities to the children of the remembered victims.
Martine Urujeni, the city of Kigali’s Vice Mayor in charge of Socio-Economic Affairs, underscored that commemoration is more than ceremony, stressing that it is a tool to safeguard truth and counter genocide denial and distortion.
“We encourage the youth to keep learning the history and protecting what has been achieved,” Urujeni said, adding that today’s youth should draw inspiration from the bravery of the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) which liberated the country. Urujeni urged all Rwandans to take responsibility in confronting genocide denial, particularly on social media platforms.
“No one should say it doesn’t concern them. It is our collective responsibility. As we use the platforms for other things, we should also use them to speak out the truth, fight genocide ideology and those distorting our history because we are the ones who will be affected, ” she said.
Representing families and former staff, Vianney Nyamutera, spoke about the historical discrimination that was prevalent in communities, educational institutions, and professional settings before the genocide. He praised the bank for recognising its past and honouring the lives of former employees, including his own father, who was killed in the Genocide.
“I&M Bank has gone further by not only remembering our loved ones but also employing some of their children. That is a meaningful act of support and remembrance,” he said.
Alice Nkulikiyinka, a member of the I&M Bank Rwanda board, echoed these sentiments, saying remembrance is a shared responsibility.
“Thirty one years after the Genocide against the Tutsi, we also have a responsibility to teach the young so that they can appreciate the country’s progress and safeguard our unity,” Nkulikiyinka noted.
She commended the heroism of genocide survivors, emphasising that their testimonies help in educating the youth and Rwandans, and help in fighting genocide denial.
She said that the bank is ready to continue supporting income-generating initiatives proposed by the victims’ families, as the families’ representative had proposed.
“In different decisions we make, we think about the survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, teaching the youth about the country’s history, and especially focus on development activities for the families of the former BCR employees we came to remember today,” she said.
Louis de Montfort Mujyambere, the Vice President of Ibuka, expressed gratitude to the bank for all the activities they run to help genocide survivors, and encouraged the bank to keep supporting projects that empower survivors. He also underscored the government’s efforts to deliver justice for genocide survivors, both domestically and internationally, and called on all Rwandans, including those in the diaspora, to support the fight for justice and against genocide ideology.
Mujyambere stressed that there is an increase in genocide ideology, especially among youth, calling parents to actively educate their kids.
“This shows that as parents and everyone responsible, it’s our duty as parents, educators, and leaders to keep teaching and building a future free of hatred,” he said.
I&M Bank, formerly Banque Commerciale du Rwanda (BCR), honoured the lives of 26 former staff members killed during the genocide. Photos by Craish BAHIZI
Mourners during a tour in garden of memory at Nyanza Kicukiro Genocide Memorial.
The commemoration began with a wreath-laying ceremony at the bank’s memorial monument which bears the names of the 26 genocide victims.
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