{"id":121863,"date":"2026-04-12T14:40:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-12T14:40:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/thousands-honor-abandoned-tutsi-at-eto-kicukiro"},"modified":"2026-04-12T14:49:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T14:49:54","slug":"thousands-honor-abandoned-tutsi-at-eto-kicukiro","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/thousands-honor-abandoned-tutsi-at-eto-kicukiro","title":{"rendered":"Thousands Honor Abandoned Tutsi at ETO Kicukiro"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>Thousands of people gathered this Saturday, April 11, at Nyanza Genocide Memorial in Kicukiro District to honour more than 2,000 Tutsi who were abandoned by Belgian UN peacekeepers and the international community, and subsequently killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.<\/p>\n

The commemoration began with a Walk to Remember from IPRC Kicukiro, formerly E\u0301cole Technique Officielle (ETO) Kicukiro, to Nyanza memorial site, where the victims were massacred.<\/p>\n

Mourners hold candles while observing a moment of silence to pay tribute to the victims at the event.<\/p>\n

On April 11, 1994, Belgian troops serving under the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) withdrew from ETO Kicukiro, where more than 2000 Tutsi had sought refuge, trusting in the protection previously offered during earlier waves of violence. Their departure left the refugees defenceless.<\/p>\n

Soon after, militias and soldiers, including members of the former Rwanda Armed Forces (ex-FAR) and Interahamwe, stormed the compound.<\/p>\n

Minister of Infrastructure, Jimmy Gasore lays a wreath in honour of the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi.<\/p>\n

The refugees were forced to march to Nyanza, where many were killed along the way, while others were executed upon arrival, using grenades and firearms.<\/p>\n

Issa Nsengiyumva, who was nine years old at the time, arrived at ETO Kicukiro with his parents, three siblings, and extended family members on April 7, 1994, seeking refuge as violence escalated.<\/p>\n

The commemoration event took place at Kicukiro- Nyanza Genocide Memorial.<\/p>\n

He is the sole survivor from his family.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter the Belgian forces withdrew, we were gathered and taken to where the memorial stands today,\u201d he recalled. \u201cAs the killings began with gunfire and grenades, I managed to run away from the crowd. I fled into the bushes until I encountered soldiers of the RPA Inkotanyi.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGathering here, where I lost my entire family, allows me to reflect on what happened, to honour them and restore the dignity they were denied,\u201d he said. \u201cMeeting other survivors and hearing their testimonies reminds me that my survival was not due to any special strength. It is by God\u2019s mercy that I am alive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ignace Benimana, 75, also sought refuge at ETO Kicukiro with his wife and two children after fleeing violence in what is now Rulindo District. He, too, is the only survivor from his immediate family.<\/p>\n

French Ambassador to Rwanda , Aure\u0301lie Royet-Gounin, lays a wreath to pay tribute to the victims.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had fled from Commune Mbogo (now Rulindo District) to escape the violence, relocating to Kigali. My family had already been attacked at home, and we were accused of being collaborators of the RPA Inkotanyi,\u201d he recounted.<\/p>\n

Benimana survived after being shot in the arm. He lay among the dead, covered in blood, until the attackers left.<\/p>\n

Philbert Gakwenzire, President of Ibuka, lays a wreath to honour the victims.<\/p>\n

He added that commemorations offer a rare sense of collective healing.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we gather here, it becomes slightly easier. We reflect together, we remember properly, and I can look around and trace the events as they unfolded.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bele\u0301n Calvo Uyarra, the Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Rwanda, honouring the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi at Kicukiro-Nyanza Genocide Memorial.<\/p>\n

Despite the passage of time and the pursuit of justice, Benimana said some wounds remain unhealed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe most painful part is that no one has ever come to ask for forgiveness, yet I know some of those responsible,\u201d he said. \u201cEven when justice has taken its course, that absence stays with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Minister of Foreign Affairs Olivier Nduhungire laying wreath at Kicukiro-Nyanza Genocide Memorial.<\/p>\n

City of Kigali Mayor Samuel Dusengiyumva pays tribute to the victims at the memorial.<\/p>\n

The Walk to Remember from ETO Kicukiro to Nyanza.<\/p>\n\r\n