Memories

Rwanda’s people share a common history, language and religion, yet during the past century, ethnic divisions were fostered and entrenched with terrible consequences. The slaughter that occurred in Rwanda, 1994, was not a product of ancient tribalism or civil war.

It was 100 days of genocide. Today, Rwandans are working together to build a strong, stable and peaceful society for the future. We can learn from them. For the sake of the future, we should also learn from their past.

The peacekeeper

General Romeo Dallaire, head of the UN Assistance Mission for Rwanda – UNAMIR – cabled New York shortly after the genocide began: ‘Give me the means and I can do more’. Dallaire, who then had 1,260 troops, calculated he could contain the violence with 5,000.

On 12 April the UN Security Council passed a resolution stating that it was appalled at the violence in Rwanda. It also voted to reduce the UN force to 270 and limit its mandate. Not one more peacekeeper arrived in Rwanda before the genocide ended.

Survivors

By 1995, 37,000 unaccompanied Rwandan children were registered by the UN and other NGOS. There were an estimated 100,000 widows and widowers, and over 500,000 rape victims, many affected by HIV. The loss of their entire families left many in destitution.

Memorials

Almost every corner of Rwanda was touched by the genocide. The memory remains raw and painful today. How that collective memory develops will shape the country’s future.

The Aegis Trust is responsible for the Kigali Genocide Memorial (above), in the heart of Rwanda’s capital, where over 250,000 victims of the genocide lie buried.

Offering dignity for the victims, the Centre is also a place where people can learn from what happened in order to counter the ideas that divide societies, leading to fear, mistrust and exclusion.

The peacekeeper

Survivors

Memorials

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