Foreign Secretary remembers the victims of the Rwandan Genocide
Foreign Secretary and Minister for Africa attend genocide commemorations in Kigali.
On 7th April 1994, extremist members of Rwanda’s Hutu majority set about slaughtering Rwandan Tutsis and moderate Hutus. During 100 days, over 800,000 people were killed, often in the most brutal and horrific manner. The Foreign Secretary, William Hague, and the Minister for Africa, Mark Simmonds, visited Rwanda to attend commemorations to mark twenty years since the tragedy of the Rwandan genocide and pay their respects to the victims and their families.
Speaking from Kigali the Foreign Secretary said:
It was a deeply moving occasion commemorating one of the darkest chapters in recent human history. It was an important moment for the world to witness the determination of the people of Rwanda to renew and stand together, after the horrific events of 20 years ago.
I attended the events to remember the victims, to commemorate with survivors, and to commend the people of Rwanda for the encouraging progress they have made since the genocide. I am proud to say that the UK has made an important contribution to the recovery and renewal of Rwanda.
There is a lesson for all of us in Rwanda’s tragedy and its recovery.
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