Rwandans living in Cameroon joined the global community to mark the 32nd commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. During the event, they called on young people to learn from history and promote peace and unity.
The commemoration took place on April 7, 2026, at Hôtel Franco in Yaoundé. It brought together about 126 participants. These included Rwandans, Cameroonians, and foreign nationals working with international organizations. In addition, the event created a space for reflection and shared responsibility.
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Tribute Paid to Victims of the Genocide
At the beginning, participants observed a minute of silence to honor the victims. After that, they lit a lamp of hope. This symbolized remembrance, resilience, and the commitment to prevent such tragedy from happening again.
The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Cameroon thanked the Rwandan Community in Cameroon (ACRC) for the invitation. He also encouraged the international community to learn from Rwanda’s history. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of fighting hate speech, which continues to spread worldwide.
He said “We must learn from the terrible history of the Genocide in Rwanda. Therefore, we must stand up and combat hate speech,”
Community Leadership Highlights Lessons from History
The President of the Rwandan Community in Cameroon, Zikamabahari Jean Baptiste, explained the meaning of remembrance. He said it is about honoring victims and preventing future atrocities. In the same way, it reminds people to stay united and vigilant.
He noted that the Genocide against the Tutsi was caused by poor leadership. In particular, he highlighted how division and hate speech were promoted from the colonial period and continued over time.
Moreover, he expressed concern about the spread of genocide ideology in the region. As a result, he called on the international community to remain alert and take action to stop it.
