Genocide Memorial Day

Most people know something of what happened in Rwanda involving the Hutu and Tutsi, two groups that have coexisted for centuries in this area. The relationship between Hutu and Tutsi started many years ago as a socioeconomic distinction. It was during the time of the colonization that the concept of racial superiority took hold. That, combined with extremist political forces and their propaganda, gave rise to the "final solution" that the Tutsis should be wiped out. Thus, the seeds for genocide were sown long before the mid-1990s.

The mass slaughter of Tutsis and Hutu moderates started within hours of the shooting down of the then-Hutu president's plane on April 6, 1994. It continued for about 100 days, with little or no intervention from the outside world, until the Tutsi-dominated political party took control of the country. During that period an estimated 1,000,000 Rwandans were killed (as much as 20% of the population at that time), and millions fled to surrounding countries.

Recently, I went to the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center, where over 250,000 victims of the genocide are buried. The center contains exhibits taking the observer through a description (with photos) of the events before, during, and after the genocide. There is also a room containing photos of genocide victims, and a second room with close to life-size pictures of individual children, each with a plaque stating his or her age, interests, favorite food, and cause of death (e.g., by machete, tortured, shot). It is absolutely heartrending. Finally, another room contains photos and descriptions of other genocides that have marred the history of humanity in other parts of the world.

For many Rwandans, visiting this Center is too painful and traumatic.

What a testament to 'man's inhumanity to man.' How Jehovah must long for the day when he will reverse the ravages of suffering and death, and bring about a world when the "former things will not be called to mind, nor will they come up into the heart"!

Unfortunately, they do not allow you to take photos of the exhibits inside the building except for payment of a hefty fee, so these pictures of the surrounding grounds will have to suffice:

From downtown Kigali comes this photo:

Hôtel des Mille Collines

Over 1,200 people took refuge in this hotel during the genocide. The story of the hotel and its manager at that time was the basis of the film Hotel Rwanda.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the genocide in Rwanda, so it is expected that a lot of presentations will mark the occasion, including a visit from the president.

April 7, Genocide Memorial Day, is a public holiday every year. But the week following is also designated as a period of mourning. Businesses are open in the mornings but close in the afternoons. This means that out of respect for people's sensitivities, we will not be preaching in the afternoons.