Excellency, Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission;

Excellency, Amb. Birtukan Ayano Dadi, State Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia;

Excellency, Dr. Monique Nsan-za-ba-gan-wa, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission;

Excellency, Hope Tumunkunde, Gasatura, Ambassador of Rwanda to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union;

Excellencies, African Union Commissioners here present;

Distinguished Ambassadors, Member of the AU Permanent Representative Committee and Members of the Diplomatic Corps;

UN Special Envoy on the Prevention of Genocide & UN Special Representative to the Secretary General to the African Union, Representatives of the Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms; Religious Leaders, CSOs, Rwandan Community

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the African Union Commission as we observe Good Friday and Ramadan, I warmly welcome you all to this very important but solemn occasion.

29 years ago, on the 7^th of April1994, genocide was committed against the Tutsi in Rwanda, which remains a stark reminder of our gathering here today. As a result, the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) in 2017 designated every 7^th of April in each calendar year as the Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

The theme of this year’s anniversary which is “Remember, Unite, Renew”, presents us with another opportunity to reflect on the past and show solidarity with the survivors. We must all unite against the ideology of hate, that leads to genocide and other crimes against humanity. 

Excellencies, I recall that, the Independent Panel of Eminent Personalities was established by the OAU to investigate the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. This was the first time in the history of our continental organization that an independent Commission was established by our Heads of State and Government to probe the reason behind such a heinous act. The Commission issued a report titled: Rwanda - The Preventable Genocide, which thereafter, led to the creation of the African Peace and Security Architecture. This Architecture is today in synergy with the African Governance Architecture.

Excellencies and Distinguished Participants,

The primary aim of this solemn assembly is geared towards preventing the repeat of the 1994 Rwanda occurrence in our continent and beyond. As such, all crimes against humanity, hate speech, hate crime and the ideology of hate must be resisted in our continent. We therefore, gather here today, in unity of purpose to ensure that such must never happen again in Africa or anywhere else in the world, which is our irrevocable commitment!

This commemoration offers a learning platform to study Rwanda’s socio - economic transformation including national reconciliation, nation-building, and inclusive development.

Similarly, today’s Commemoration inspires us to promote the right to life and human dignity as it is enshrined in our African Shared Values Instruments. We urge for the promotion of ethnic and religious tolerance, strengthening of national and social cohesion, as well as the renewal of our commitment to address the structural drivers of conflict in our Member States. The AU’s ultimate goal is for all African people to live in a peaceful and secured continent in line with our aspirations set in Agenda 2063 - the Africa We Want. 

These measures culminated is why the AU Assembly has inaugurated the commemoration of the African Day for Peace and Reconciliation, every 31^st of January.

Your Excellencies, Distinguished participants, Ladies, and Gentlemen,

Next year, the 30^th anniversary of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda will come up next year, as an ample opportunity to inspire total tolerance at political and societal levels. In this context, continental and international law must be strictly adhered to in order to safeguard the protection of civilians including the elderly, women and children.

Similarly important, is that the ongoing construction of the African Union Human Rights Memorial should be completed and the voluntary financial support of Member States, partners and all peace loving people will be highly appreciated.

Finally, in line with the position of the African Union Peace and Security Council, I wish to respectfully implore the distinguished Chairperson of the African Union Commission to consider appointing a Special Envoy on Prevention of Genocide in Africa, before the end of this year.

Permit me to conclude with the prayer of the Catholic Priest as thus, “O Lord, establish your peace in our hearts”, may God Almighty establish His peace in us.