{"id":70640,"date":"2024-04-20T06:50:40","date_gmt":"2024-04-20T06:50:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/ecobank-rwanda-commemorates-genocide-against-tutsi-pledges-to-support-national-development"},"modified":"2024-04-20T07:10:42","modified_gmt":"2024-04-20T07:10:42","slug":"ecobank-rwanda-commemorates-genocide-against-tutsi-pledges-to-support-national-development","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/photo\/ecobank-rwanda-commemorates-genocide-against-tutsi-pledges-to-support-national-development","title":{"rendered":"Ecobank Rwanda commemorates Genocide against Tutsi, pledges to support national development"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>Ecobank Rwanda paid homage to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi while reaffirming its dedication to fostering inclusive growth and providing financial services that benefit all Rwandans. The bank\u2019s executives made this commitment clear on Wednesday, April 17 during a commemorative event held at the Kigali Genocide Memorial.<\/p>\n

The event began with Senior Executives from the bank and staff touring the memorial, delving into the history of the atrocities committed and acknowledging efforts to halt the Genocide. The group paid respects by laying wreaths on one of the mass graves at the memorial site, which holds the remains of over 250,000 individuals.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all grew up subjected to divisionism at school, where certain privileges were denied to us because we were Tutsi. In 1990, when Inkotanyi started the liberation struggle, things started getting bad,\u201d recalled Chantal Wibabara, a staff member and survivor of the Genocide, reflecting on her childhood experiences.<\/p>\n

Wibabara recounted one of her worst days: \u201cMy mother received news that her brother and two children had been killed. She started crying, insisting she wouldn\u2019t believe it unless she saw the bodies. Since I couldn\u2019t leave her alone, I tried to console her by saying, ‘Two are gone, but you still have two other children.\u2019 However, upon reflection, any parent knows the love they have for their children and the devastating impact of losing one.<\/p>\n

She recounted the harrowing events of the genocide, where her family and neighbors were attacked and killed while fleeing together. They were taken to a hill where pits had been dug for their bodies, forced inside, and then abruptly pulled out. The Interahamwe militia directed them towards a stadium. Seeking refuge at Petit Seminaire Kabgayi, they witnessed people being caught and killed.<\/p>\n

Wibabara tragically lost most of her family, describing it as \u201ca very traumatic experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

She emphasised that the peace Rwanda enjoys today is the result of immense sacrifices. \u201cThe Inkotanyi army, composed mostly of young people driven by love for their country, set aside everything else to stop the Genocide. Those who lost their lives were individuals with promising futures ahead of them. This underscores the importance for young people to understand Rwanda\u2019s history and honour the memories of those lost.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wibabara called on parents to be catalysts for change by instilling unity and resilience in their children, teaching them the truth, and not shielding them from difficult realities. As a survivor herself, she takes pride in the nation\u2019s resilience and believes that \u201cour children will inherit a brighter future.\u201d<\/p>\n

Richard Mugisha, the Chairperson of the board of Ecobank Rwanda, reflected on Wibabara\u2019s harrowing survival story and emphasised the collective understanding among Rwandans of how deeply the Genocide impacted everyone.<\/p>\n

He expressed solidarity with all survivors, acknowledging their resilience in rebuilding a society that had been shattered. Mugisha highlighted the importance of mutual accountability and affection, values that were undermined during the Genocide and now require sustained effort to restore.<\/p>\n

Mugisha emphasised that rebuilding social connections and fostering an inclusive society are ongoing processes that demand daily commitment.<\/p>\n

In reference to Ecobank\u2019s role in Rwanda\u2019s economy, Mugisha reiterated the institution\u2019s commitment, \u201cEcobank significantly contributes to the country\u2019s economy as a financial institution and we are dedicated to ensuring that the tragic events of the past never occur again. Let\u2019s keep this commitment in mind as we fulfil our roles, show mutual respect, and serve our customers with excellence, all contributing to the development of a better Rwanda.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alphonse Munyentwari, Country Director of Aegis Trust, a non-profit organisation dedicated to preventing genocide and mass atrocities, emphasised the complex sequence of events leading to genocide, noting that the country itself was systematically undermined long before its people faced harm.<\/p>\n

He highlighted the deliberate cultural dismantling initiated by colonisers, targeting key aspects of unity such as Umuganura, the harvest festival, and traditional governance structures. Munyentwari illustrated the erosion of indigenous authority, detailing how decisions were gradually wrested from local leaders and centralised under colonial rule, ultimately contributing to Rwanda\u2019s decline.<\/p>\n

By 1959, the country had lost its cohesive identity, fuelling violence and displacement as tribal divisions were amplified by socioeconomic shifts. Munyentwari criticised the arbitrary categorisation of tribes in identification documents, exacerbating existing tensions. Even as Rwanda attained independence, the damage was irreparable, with leadership and societal cohesion already compromised beyond repair.<\/p>\n

Ecobank CEO Caline Umutoni lit candle during the event at Kigali Genocide Memorial<\/p>\n

Ecobank management and staff mourn for victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi at the Kigali Genocide Memorial at on Wednesday, April 17. All photos by Craish Bahizi<\/p>\n

Richard Mugisha, the Chairperson of the board of Ecobank Rwanda writes in the book of visitors during their visit to Kigali Genocide Memorial<\/p>\n

Staff and management during a guided tour of the memorial to learn more about Rwandan history<\/p>\n

The bank officials light candles during the commemoration event at Kigali Genocide Memorial<\/p>\n

They visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial to pay tribute to victims of the Genocide<\/p>\n\r\n