Rwanda began its annual 100-day remembrance of the 1994 genocide on Monday, as President Paul Kagame led solemn national observances in Kigali while tensions with international partners added a political edge to this year’s commemoration.
Kagame presided over ceremonies at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where more than 250,000 victims are laid to rest. He lit the flame of remembrance and addressed a gathering of Rwandans and foreign dignitaries, marking the start of Kwibuka—a nationwide period of mourning and reflection that runs through July 4.
Quiet Streets, Heavy Memories
In accordance with tradition, Rwanda has entered a subdued national atmosphere. Flags are flying at half-mast, and public entertainment has been suspended. Music is silenced in communal spaces, bars and clubs are shuttered for a week, and television channels have suspended sports and films to honor the victims.
The commemoration recalls one of the most horrific chapters in post-colonial African history. The genocide, which erupted on April 7, 1994, followed the downing of President Juvenal Habyarimana’s plane the night before. Over 800,000 people—mainly Tutsis and moderate Hutus—were killed in just 100 days.
International Indifference Remembered
Rwandans continue to reflect not only on the internal tragedy but also on the failure of international actors. The UN has faced lasting criticism for scaling back peacekeeping operations just as the violence intensified. The consequences of that inaction still inform Rwanda’s foreign policy and regional posture today.
Genocide’s Lingering Shadow in the Region
Decades on, the aftermath of the genocide still reverberates across the Great Lakes region. Hundreds of thousands fled the country in 1994—many to the Democratic Republic of Congo—sparking demographic and political shifts that continue to fuel regional instability.
Authorities in Kigali maintain that several genocide suspects remain at large in countries such as the DRC and Uganda. Meanwhile, the Rwandan government is routinely accused of supporting Tutsi-led rebels in eastern Congo—claims it strongly denies, insisting the Tutsi minority there faces discrimination and violence.
Strained Ties with Europe and Brussels
This year’s memorial unfolds under mounting diplomatic friction. The European Union recently imposed sanctions on four Rwandan officials—three senior military commanders and the head of the state mining agency—citing alleged support for the M23 rebel group operating in eastern DRC.
The EU’s move followed reports that Rwanda’s special forces and military divisions have been backing the group’s operations across the border. Human Rights Watch has urged Brussels to go further, advocating more targeted sanctions unless Kigali halts its alleged involvement.
In a sharp response, Rwanda severed diplomatic ties with Belgium last month, accusing the former colonial power of repeatedly siding against it in regional matters. A government statement condemned what it called Belgium’s “systematic mobilization” against Rwanda and pledged to defend national dignity and sovereignty.
Balancing Remembrance and Resilience
As Rwandans gather in homes, schools, and memorials across the country, the weight of history remains palpable. With nearly two-thirds of the population born after the genocide, the annual commemoration serves as both a warning and a call to unity.
While the government projects a narrative of resilience and reconstruction, the enduring trauma and the geopolitics of memory continue to shape Rwanda’s position on the continent.
From Kigali to Kinshasa, and in capitals far beyond, the legacy of 1994 remains unfinished business.