On 20 February 2014, peacekeepers of the African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) remembered the Rwandan genocide with an event to launch in Sudan #Kwibuka20, a global initiative to commemorate the twentieth  anniversary of the killing of more than 1 million people in 100 days.

During the event, the participants observed one minute of silence, heard from those who lived through the horrendous ordeal and lit candles to honour the victims.

African Union and United Nations Joint Special Representative for Darfur Mohammed Ibn Chambas stated that from the ashes of 1994, Rwanda has rebuilt a nation that is vibrant and contributes to causes of common good around the world. “The presence of so many Rwandans here today – is itself a clear testimony to the country’s commitment to peace and stability in Africa,” he remarked.

The JSR added that to avert such incidents in future, it can only be done through building strong institutions, particularly in Africa, that promote citizen participation in governance, peaceful co-existence, national unity, fight against corruption and democracy.

The Second Counselor and Acting Charge d’Affaires of the Rwandan Diplomatic Mission in Sudan, Ismail Kajugiro Shyaka, said that studying how and why genocide occurs and raising public awareness can help prevent it from happening again. “Rwanda shows that reconciliation through shared human values is possible, and asks the world to do the same,” he mentioned.

Mr. Shyaka noted that Rwanda is among the top six troop contributing countries to UN peacekeeping missions across the world.  “We believe no country should suffer the same fate, and lives should not be lost due to indifference and inaction of global actors,” he added.
More than 3,000 military personnel currently serve in UNAMID, as well as 166 police advisers and a significant number of civilians.

Rwandan peacekeepers attend the launch of #Kwibuka20. Photo by Albert Gonzalez Farran/UNAMID.