Press Release No: 030/2013

Commemoration of the 19th Anniversary of the Rwanda Genocide

Addis Ababa, 7th April 2013: - Today marked the commemoration of the Rwandan Genocide. The annual event held by the African Union Commission, tried to awaken greater awareness of the African peoples and the International community about the value of humanity and the importance of protecting human lives.

Lighting of the memorial candle, done by the Chairperson of the AUC, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) and Foreign Minister of Rwanda, was the first activity that marked the opening of the occasion.

Followed by the prayers of the different religious representatives, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr. Dlamini Zuma, made a statement as a reminder on the brutality and cruelty of the genocide in 1994.
The Chairperson noted that, not only is the occasion a contribution towards remembering the past events but it also ensures that the grief experience will not be passed down to future generations.

The FDRE’s Foreign Minister Dr. Tedros Adhnom Ghebreyesus recapped that Africa has lived its fair share of gruesome experiences and tragic events that have traumatized its population throughout its history.

In this regard, Dr. Tedros reminded that the African Heads of States, in 2002, made sure that the Constitutive Act of the African Union reflected their unflinching commitment to fighting impunity and preventing the recurrence of such massive crimes. Giving the African Union the right to intervene in a member state where grave circumstances, such as war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity occur will allow the continent to prevent such events from happening again, said the Foreign Minister.

Professor Andreas Eshete, from Addis Ababa University remarked on his statement, that the day is a solemn occasion for Africa and the rest of the human community. He noted that the very many innocent lives lost in a short span of time with the indifference of the international community must never be forgotten.
Furthermore, the professor said that the African Union Human Rights Memorial (AUHRM) is a symbol of the collective commitment of African governments and citizens to make sure the fundamental freedoms and rights of citizens are respected.

As a closing remark, the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Rwanda acknowledged the African Union Commission and all the participants for the solidarity shown today. Furthermore, The Foreign Minister confirmed that Rwanda is committed in standing to reflect as the AUC fight to overcome the deficiencies that allowed the genocide to happen.

The stories and short drama presented by the different Addis Ababa high School students and the Rwandan Community students gave the event an unforgettable glare and extraordinary flavor.

The event was concluded after the Chairperson of the African Union Commission rewarded the participating students with certificates of recognition for their outstanding contributions.

FM