Rwandans In Liberia Commemorates Three Decades April 7, 1994, Genocide

Monrovia, Liberia: The 31st anniversary of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi tribe was marked by a solemn gathering in Monrovia on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, led by Rwanda's Ambassador to Liberia, Rosemary Mbabazi, and joined by dignitaries and international representatives.

The gathering focused on remembering nearly one million Rwandans brutally killed in the genocide that spanned 100 days, beginning on April 7, 1994.

Ambassador Mbabazi began her address by thanking those present for honoring the memory of the victims and recognizing the horrific impact of the genocide.

She recounted the profound loss and the lasting pain caused by the tragedy, emphasizing that the international community must continue to learn from the dark chapters of history to prevent such atrocities in the future.

“2025 marks 31 years since the genocide against the Tutsi unfolded in our country, causing great loss and immense pain,” Mbabazi said with a voice filled with chilling emotion. “In remembering the loved ones we lost, we also have an opportunity to honor the men and women who paid the ultimate price to stop the genocide, particularly the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) Inkotanyi,” she added.

Ambassador Mbabazi’s remarks also touched on the critical need for global reflection on the genocide, urging world leaders to take responsibility for preventing similar atrocities.

She referenced United Nations Security Council Resolution 2150 (2014), which calls for renewed efforts to prevent and combat genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity while emphasizing the need for vigilance against hate and division that could lead to such tragedies.

“The genocide against the Tutsi was not a spontaneous event. It was planned, executed, and carried out with the backing of the state apparatus, while the international community failed to intervene in time,” she explained.

The ambassador also reminded the attendees of the ongoing challenges Rwanda faces, especially with regard to the ideology of genocide that continues to manifest in the region.

She highlighted the threat posed by genocidal forces that fled to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after their defeat in 1994, continuing their campaign of violence against the Tutsi and engaging in acts that have the propensity to destabilize the region.

Despite these challenges, Ambassador Mbabazi shared Rwanda’s unwavering commitment to preventing future genocides, saying, “Rwanda has rebuilt itself over the past 31 years under the leadership of President Paul Kagame. We have placed unity above all else, and we are determined to never return to the history that made the genocide against the Tutsi possible.”

The ambassador’s speech underscored the importance of global cooperation in holding perpetrators accountable, as more than 1,000 genocide fugitives remain at large, some enjoying protection in various countries, including the DRC.

“We must not allow perpetrators to roam free,” she stressed. “The memory of the Tutsi victims must rekindle our commitment to justice and truth. Only by uprooting the ideology of genocide can we ensure that such horrors are never repeated.”

At the ceremony, Christine Umutoni, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, delivered a powerful statement emphasizing the relevance of Rwanda’s tragic history in today’s world.

Madam Umutoni warned of the growing divisiveness in societies across the globe, where hate speeches and misinformation continue to drive a wedge between communities.

“We must heed the lessons of Rwanda,” Umutoni urged. “We must recognize the early signs of hatred and division and act quickly to counter them. That means standing firm against hate speech, resisting forces that seek to divide us, defending human rights, and demanding accountability.”

The UN Envoy did not fail to address the role of digital platforms in the spread of hate messages, urging nations to uphold their commitments under the ‘’Global Digital Compact’’ and to combat online misinformation and hate.

She called for greater international cooperation to fulfill the promises made under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

As she concluded, Madam Umutoni called on all nations to renew their commitment to vigilance, unity, and justice, honoring the resilience of survivors and the memory of the victims by building a world rooted in dignity, peace, and respect for all.

“Let us renew our commitment to building a world where dignity, peace, and respect for all are the foundation of our societies,” she said.

 Rwanda is still healing from the scars of its past, but the country remains steadfast in its dedication to unity, justice, and the protection of human rights for all.