The European Union expressed its solidarity with the people of Rwanda as they commemorated the 30th anniversary, on Sunday 7 April, of the genocide of nearly one million Rwandans, mainly Tutsis, massacred in the spring of 1994.
In an official statement, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, praised the progress made by Rwanda since the tragedy.
“The EU honours the survivors and their families, whose daily bravery and resilience in the face of this horror continues to inspire the world. What the people of Rwanda have achieved over three decades in their national journey towards unity, reconciliation, justice and the preservation of the memory of the genocide against the Tutsis is a lesson to the rest of the world”, said Mr Borrell.
The official commemorations in Kigali began on Sunday with the laying of wreaths at the Gisozi Memorial, followed by a ceremony attended by several thousand people at the BK Arena. On that occasion, the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, condemned the inaction of the international community at the time.
"It was the international community which failed all of us, whether from contempt or cowardice”, declared Mr Kagame in front of several foreign dignitaries, including certain European leaders.
The president of the European Council, Charles Michel, spoke of the “silence” of a “motionless” international community in the face of the carnage.
And he added: “In the last century, the European continent was also ravaged (...) Afterwards, the European continent chose to focus on justice, forgiveness and reconciliation to try to forge a positive path towards the future. Just like Rwanda and its people, who chose justice, forgiveness and reconciliation. A focus on education, healthcare, infrastructure and technology. A path of development and resilience”, said Mr Michel.
The President of the European Council was received by Mr Kagame for bilateral talks on Monday. (Original version in French by Bernard Denuit)