07 April 2024 - Over 300 people, including members of the Rwandan community, the diplomatic corps, and friends of Rwanda gathered at Parliament House in Canberra for Kwibuka30, a solemn event to mark the 30^th commemoration of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.

Participants marched from Old Parliament House to New Parliament House, as part of the “Walk to Remember”, a symbolic march to rally Rwandans and global partners to stand against genocide. 

In his address, Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye, the High Commissioner of Rwanda to the Commonwealth of Australia, expressed deep concern over the continued propagation of genocide ideology by suspected perpetrators and their supporters around the world, without facing any accountability.

Highlighting the duty of the international community to protect genocide survivors, the High Commissioner said it was unfortunate that such evil-minded individuals continue to operate unchecked in their host countries.

He emphasised that genocide prevention and the fight against its denial require collective responsibility as it is a crime against humanity.

Telling the true story

Speaking at the event, Frida Umuhoza, a survivor of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi and author of "Chosen to Die, Destined to Live," expressed her revulsion at the denial and trivialisation of the genocide. She said that such actions reopened old wounds for survivors and underscored the significance of their testimonies in suppressing this false narrative. 

“If there is anything that deniers cannot deny is the personal story of survival”, Umuhoza said.

Valiance of Inkotanyi

Fellow genocide survivor, Jean Nepo Sibonama, shared with mourners the distressing account of his survival story at Kiziguro Catholic Church where he witnessed the carnage of his family and thousands of other Tutsis at the hands of Interahamwe militiamen.

Mr Sibomana hailed former RPA-Inkotanyi soldiers for rescuing him following months of hiding from the ruthless killers who had decimated his kin.

“They [RPA soldiers] were very young men, but they were very brave and had no fear of government soldiers because they had one mission - their commander had ordered them to go and save people and they did it. That’s why we’re here”, Sibomana noted.

Honorary Consul General of Rwanda to Australia, Michael Roux, praised Rwanda's resilience, sense of forgiveness and leadership for turning around the nation’s fortunes after the genocide.

“The extraordinary leadership that Rwanda had and has, provided a mechanism and hope for the future and three decades on, we can see the evidence of that”, Roux noted.