Madamu Jeannette Kagame emphasized that remembering the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda is not only an act of commemoration but also a commitment to live fully for oneself and for those who perished.
Speaking at the International Conference on Genocide Prevention, held alongside the 30th anniversary of the establishment of IBUKA, she said that remembering embodies the dignity and essence of the victims, keeping their legacy alive.
“Remembering is action and journey; it is honoring their dignity and essence, leaving them among us and others. In this way, they continue to live through us,” she said.
Madamu Kagame also praised genocide survivors who have rebuilt their lives, standing strong and taking the lead in reconstructing the country.
“Thank you for choosing to live so that others may live. Thank you for carrying your wounds and working together to build the Rwanda they never saw, a country that our children grow up in and continue to advance,” she said.
She acknowledged the founding members of IBUKA and other organizations that partnered in Rwanda’s post-genocide rebuilding, noting their courage and commitment to preserving the memory of the genocide so it is never forgotten.
Madamu Kagame highlighted that the existence of IBUKA stems from the painful history the country endured and serves as a response to that dark past. She noted that it has not been easy for people to rebuild their lives after the genocide, regain hope, and look toward the future.
She urged youth not to be complacent, warning that peace and security are not guaranteed, as there are still individuals who deny or distort the history of the genocide.
“Young people, our children, we will never regret the choices we made to build the Rwanda we desire and that belongs to all of us. These choices must continue to be yours; the struggle is ours and also yours,” she said.
Madamu Kagame further noted that history shows how international organizations failed to provide security wherever the genocide occurred, underlining that true security must come from within the country.
“If we are not vigilant, the progress achieved at the cost of Rwandan lives can quickly be lost. That is why ‘Never Again’ should not only be a phrase but a lasting commitment,” she said.
She also commended survivors who have shown extraordinary courage by forgiving those who killed their loved ones, describing such forgiveness as an act of remarkable bravery.
“Today we celebrate many achievements in this journey, but the decision to forgive is extraordinary. Giving or showing mercy is not a sign of weakness. It is a powerful act of the heart. It is courage that refuses to be enslaved by the cycle of hatred, which only breeds resentment,” she said.
