The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) hosted a solemn commemoration for the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Members of the diplomatic corps, Government Representatives, faith leaders, students, United Nations personnel and representatives of the Rwandan community in Kenya came together to mark this day. Under the theme ‘Remember-Unite-Renew’, the ceremony honored the memory of the more than one million victims and paid tribute to the resilience of the survivors.
The event was led by the Under Secretary-General and Director-General of UNON, Mrs Zainab Hawa Bangura, who delivered the message of the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres. In his message, the Secretary General paid tribute to the victims and survivors of the genocide while calling on all nations to reject hate speech, strengthen institutions and fully implement the Genocide Convention.
“It is not enough to remember the dead,” the Secretary‑General’s message stated. “We must learn from past failures and protect the living – by rejecting hatred, inflammatory rhetoric, and incitement to violence.”
The programme featured symbolic elements including candle lighting and a moment of silence to honor the victims. Among other speakers were H.E. Ambassador Beyene Russom, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Kenya; representatives of the Kenyan government; Archbishop Hubertus Van Megen, the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya; Sheikh Badru Jaffar Swaleh; and Mr. Serge Rwigamba, a genocide survivor who shared a deeply personal testimony of loss, resilience, and hope.
Through music and poetry, young voices also played a central role in the commemoration. Performances by the Daystar University Choir and Rwandan children’s choir underscored messages of unity, healing, and hope, reinforcing the importance of intergenerational engagement in preserving memory and promoting peace.
The commemoration concluded with a wreath-laying ceremony followed by a “Walk to Remember,” symbolizing solidarity with the people of Rwanda and a shared commitment to ensuring that such atrocities are never repeated.
The International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda serves as a solemn reminder of the consequences of hatred, division, and inaction. It reminds the international community of the need to stay alert, act before it is too late, and stand firmly for human dignity, justice, and peace.
Background
The International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda is observed annually on 7 April, marking the beginning of one of the darkest chapters in human history. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2003, the day calls upon the international community to remember and to act — to prevent the recurrence of genocide anywhere in the world.