Each year Rwanda sets apart the 100 days from April 7 to June 30 to commemorate the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. This national time of remembrance is known as the “Kwibuka” period. Global Survivors for Peace founder, Immaculee G. Songa describes below what it means for survivors to stop their daily activities and focus on remembering.
As nation, Rwandans take time to reflect on the dark time of our history and to honor victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, survivors, and the heroes who saved our lives. During this time, our families, friends, and those whose lives were cut short during 1994 are remembered with love and dignity. The three words often used during the commemoration period, “remember, unite, and renew,” help Rwandans and people around the globe to reflect on the past while reminding that our actions today will influence the lives of future generations.
During the commemoration period, Rwandans no longer see themselves as Hutu and Tutsi. We are Rwandans, we speak the same language, we are brothers and sisters. Genocide has severely affected us and changed our lives forever, but we decided as a nation to heal and unite. We hope to build a promising future for our children where hatred does not have voice. We work to remind ourselves and the world that genocide is stoppable and preventable. We use this time to tell the world that peace is possible.
The commemoration period also offers a specific time for our nation and the world to examine the deliberate actions that lead to the events in 1994 and to declare “Never Again Genocide.” To achieve this, it is important that world leaders seriously consider their responsibility to render justice to victims, to survivors, and to Rwanda. In unison, our nation reiterates the importance of global peace and reminds members of the global community that we must fully commit to root out genocide ideology and fight for a world free from any form of discrimination. We stand with survivors of the unspeakable genocide with compassion and care and remind them that their lives have great and divine purpose.
Even today, bodies of victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi are being found in mass graves—over 20 years later. During the "Kwibuka" period, survivors are supported and work together with local government to find bodies of their loved ones so that they are buried with dignity in memorial sites where they will be honored and remembered for eternity. It is critical to remember that commemoration period is a difficult time for survivors. It brings back memories of the lives we lost and the destruction of all we worked for and called our own. It shows us the reality of generation poverty brought to us by those who destroyed our families. But we are determined not to give up and empower the next generations live a better life. Commemoration period reminds us of our loneliness. However, we do not seek revenge, nor do are we bitter as we emphases on remembering. Instead, this time serves to restore the dignity of our people and we love that. We take steps to build a prosperous future where each one of us can sustain ourselves, feel safe and valued. We assure each other that our lives have purpose and can impact the world in a beautiful way.”
Unfortunately, the search for and proper burial of victims is an emotionally distressing and costly process for survivors; we need memorial sites to be well maintained and upgraded and cannot do it alone. That is why we need the support of our friends from all over the world who understand that survivors are critical in the process of a lasting peace on our planet. To help us remember our beloved with dignity, and support efforts for justice and peace, please click on donate or visit the Get Involved page. Your compassion and love for the most vulnerable among us, especially during the difficult commemoration period, is highly valued.