Africa-Press – Rwanda. The Rwandan community in Chad on Saturday, May 31, marked the 31st commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, honouring the memory of over one million men, women, and children who were killed in one of the most brutal massacres of the 20th century.
Held at the Chadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the theme “Remember, Unite, Renew”, the event brought together members of the Rwandan Diaspora, Chadian government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, international organization representatives, and friends of Rwanda.
The gathering served not only as a tribute to the victims but also as a reminder of the shared responsibility to prevent future atrocities.
In his address, Viateur Kalinda, President of the Rwandan community in Chad, reminded that the Genocide was not an accident, but the result of decades of ethnic division, hate, and institutionalized discrimination.
“We are here not only to mourn,” said Kalinda, “but to honor the truth, to celebrate resilience, and to stand firm against genocide denial and hatred in all its forms. ‘Never again’ must not be a slogan—it must be a commitment.”
He paid tribute to Genocide survivors, praising their strength, courage, and commitment to reconciliation:.
“Despite unimaginable pain, survivors have chosen life, forgiveness, and the rebuilding of a united nation,” he said.
The Chadian government was represented by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ibrahim Adam Mahamat, who expressed solidarity with the Rwandan people and commended Rwanda’s remarkable journey from devastation to reconstruction.
“The government and people of Chad extend their deepest compassion to the people of Rwanda,” said Mahamat.
“We bow in memory of the victims and stand with all those who still bear the scars of this tragedy. What happened in 1994 could have plunged an entire nation into irreversible chaos. Yet Rwanda rose from the ashes, guided by the will to transcend pain.”
He noted that the Gacaca courts, which tried hundreds of thousands of Genocide cases, played a vital role in healing wounds and repairing the torn social fabric.
The Rwandan community in Chad during a walk to remember to mark the 31st commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi on Saturday, May 31. Courtesy
“Today, Rwanda offers humanity a lesson in hope and courage—a nation that has learned to forgive without forgetting,” he said.
The UN Resident Coordinator in Chad, Dr. Francois Xavier Batalingaya, delivered a message of solidarity.
“To remember,” said Batalingaya, “is to reject forgetting, to refuse that hatred, intolerance, and inhumanity become our shared legacy.”
He called on the international community to remain vigilant and uphold peace, justice, and human dignity.
“Peace is never guaranteed; it is built day by day, through truth, justice and the recognition of each person’s dignity,” he said.
The representative of the Embassy of Rwanda in Chad, with residence in Abuja, Francois Nkuriyingoma called for renewed efforts to combat rising Genocide ideology, hate speech and violence in the Great Lakes region.
Mourners observe a moment of silence during the commemoration in Chad on Saturday, May 31
“Genocidal forces that fled Rwanda in 1994 continue to operate with impunity in eastern DR Congo, spreading hatred, particularly targeting Congolese Tutsi communities,” Nkuriyingoma said.
“Today we are witnessing alarming hate speech, dehumanizing propaganda and calls for extermination, similar to the language used before 1994 in Rwanda.”
The commemoration event also included a moment of silence in honour of the victims, a poem, a documentary screening, songs and performances of Rwandan children living in Chad.
The Chadian government was represented by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ibrahim Adam Mahamat
The event brought together members of the Rwandan Diaspora, Chadian government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, international organization representatives, and friends of Rwanda.
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