Minister Marizamunda Joins Northern Province to Commemorate Victims Killed at the Cour d’Appel de Ruhengeri

Minister of Defence Juvenal Marizamunda joined leaders and residents of the Northern Province in a solemn commemoration marking the 32nd anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, honoring more than 800 victims killed at the former Cour d’Appel de Ruhengeri.

On April 15, 2026, the event took place in Musanze, following a remembrance vigil held the previous evening on April 14, dedicated to restoring dignity to those who were brutally killed.

The day’s activities began with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Mukungwa River, in remembrance of many victims whose bodies were thrown into the river after being taken from the court. The moment was marked by deep sorrow and reflection, symbolizing both the brutality of the genocide and the enduring respect for those who perished.

The event was attended by senior officials, including Members of Parliament, representatives of the judiciary, leaders from the Northern Province, and officials from the districts of Gicumbi, Burera, and Gakenke, alongside survivors of the Genocide against the Tutsi and their families.

In his keynote address, Minister Marizamunda reflected on how the genocide shattered the very foundations of justice, emphasizing that the killing of innocent people within a court of law represents a profound collapse of justice itself.

He stated:“I would like to begin by extending my deepest condolences and solidarity to those who lost their loved ones, especially those killed in this very place of justice. Being murdered in a court of law is a powerful indication that justice had completely lost its meaning. Before colonial times, Rwanda had community-based justice systems such as Gacaca, which promoted reconciliation and social harmony. It is deeply tragic that those who sought refuge here, hoping for protection, instead found death.”

He went on to stress that remembrance is not only about honoring victims but also about restoring their dignity and preserving the truth of history to ensure that such atrocities never happen again. He pointed out that the Genocide against the Tutsi was rooted in decades of bad governance characterized by regionalism, ethnic discrimination, and favoritism institutionalized under the First and Second Republics.

“This is a moment to reflect on the destructive policies that led Rwanda into genocide. No one should ever describe the Genocide against the Tutsi as an accident—it was a deliberate and well-planned crime orchestrated by bad leadership,” he added.

Minister Marizamunda also commended the Government of National Unity for stopping the genocide in 1994 and rebuilding the country on the pillars of unity and reconciliation. He highlighted the progress made in establishing inclusive governance and a justice system that promotes equity and social cohesion for all citizens.

In his concluding remarks, he called on all Rwandans to remain vigilant against genocide ideology and divisionism, urging them to uphold unity as the foundation for sustainable development.

“We have a collective responsibility to safeguard what we have achieved and to prevent any possibility of genocide ever happening again. We are all committed to ensuring that Rwanda never returns to its dark past,” he affirmed.

The commemoration concluded with a strong reminder that remembrance is not only a time for mourning, but also to build a future Rwanda free from discrimination, grounded in unity, resilience, and lasting peace.