The Federal Government has pledged support for justice and reconciliation efforts in Rwanda as the country marks the 30th anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide.
In a statement by Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Nigeria’s minister of foreign affairs, Africa’s most populous nation reaffirmed its resolve to stand in solidarity with Rwanda and all those affected by the tragic events of three decades ago.
Tuggar highlighted the suffering endured by countless innocent lives and the enduring devastation wrought by Rwandan violence and conflict 30 years ago.
Nigeria reasserted its commitment to the fundamental principles of peace, reconciliation, and the protection of human rights.
“The resilience and fortitude exhibited by the Rwandan people in their journey towards healing and nation-building are commended, serving as an inspiration to nations confronting the legacies of past atrocities.
“As the world honours the memory of the victims and survivors of the Rwandan Genocide, there is a collective call to redouble efforts in preventing such atrocities from recurring.
“Embracing values of tolerance, inclusivity, and mutual respect is essential in fostering societies where individual dignity and rights are upheld and safeguarded”, Tuggar stated.
The Rwanda genocide was a result of an ethnic conflict in 1994. It was a planned campaign of mass murder in Rwanda that occurred over some 100 days in April–July 1994. The genocide was said to have been conceived by extremist elements of Rwanda’s majority Hutu population who planned to kill the minority Tutsi population and anyone who opposed those genocidal intentions.
It is estimated that some 200,000 Hutu, spurred on by propaganda from various media outlets, participated in the genocide. More than 800,000 civilians—primarily Tutsi, but also moderate Hutu—were killed during the campaign.
As many as 2,000,000 Rwandans fled the country during or immediately after the genocide.
