The Rwandan Ambassador to Kenya, Martin Ngoga, has called on the international community to take a firm stand against those involved in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, as well as those who deny or trivialize it.
During the 30th commemoration of the genocide against the Tutsi held in Nairobi on April 9, 2024, Ambassador Ngoga reminded attendees that genocide is a result of hatred, emphasizing that people should remember the lessons left by this dark history to prevent its recurrence.
He stated, “Genocide does not happen in isolation; it is the outcome of a society that allows baseless and intolerant beliefs to take root. We must ensure that the lessons learned are not forgotten.”
“We must strive to create a world where our differences are celebrated, respected, and where everyone can live without fear or discrimination.”
Ambassador Ngoga mentioned that commemorating the genocide should go hand-in-hand with combating denial, including among the educated who dismiss the rulings of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. He clarified that denying genocide should not be considered a right to free speech but a crime.
He pointed out that those responsible for the genocide against the Tutsi and its deniers continue to roam freely around the world, spreading ideologies of hatred and misinformation about the genocide. The commemoration is an opportunity to call on the international community to prosecute the perpetrators and deny deniers any platform to spread their destructive messages.
Korir SingOei, Kenya’s Secretary for Foreign Affairs, reminded those present that the international community had failed to prevent the genocide against the Tutsi despite clear signs it was being planned. He urged the international community not to repeat the mistakes of the past when signs of potential genocides emerge.
