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Fidelis Munyoro Senior Reporter
Rwandan nationals in Zimbabwe yesterday held a commemoration at the Arupe University in Harare for over 800 000 Tutsi and moderate Hutus that were killed 25 years ago during the infamous genocide in their country. Zimbabweans and members of the diplomatic corps also took part in the  commemoration of the 1994 genocide, thr first such commemorations to be  held in the country.

Speaking during the 25th anniversary of the Tutsi Genocide, Rwanda’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr James Musoni, attributed the calamity to a long-term promotion of hatred, divisive and sectarian politics left behind by colonialist and perpetuated by the regimes back then.

Similar killings targeting Tutsis took place in 1950, 1960, 1970 and 1990.

“As Rwandans and friends commemorate genocide against the Tutsi, we celebrate the resilience and hope of a people that survived and committed themselves to live again,” said Mr Musoni.

He said for his country to be able to confront the situation, national unity and reconciliation became its top priority and it required commitment from both the leadership and ordinary Rwandans to reverse the culture of sectarianism that had been promoted and entrenched for over 30 years.

“To achieve this enormous task, we had to apply home-made peace and reconciliation mechanisms,” he said. “An assortment of programmes aimed at promoting unity and reconciliation, coupled with social and economic transformation programmes have enabled Rwanda to recover and transform into a country full of hope for the present and future generations to come.”

Mr Musoni emphasised that in order to challenge the idea of genocide, leaders should always fight injustice, promote a culture of tolerance, provide equal opportunities to citizens and respect for the rights of others.

“A conclusion to draw from Rwanda’s story is profound hope for our world,” he said. “No community is beyond repair and the dignity of a people is never fully extinguished. Never should genocide be allowed to happen anywhere in the world.”

Speaking at the same occasion, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said Rwanda has every reason to celebrate where she stands today, given the darkest days of 25 years ago.

“This grave memory and recollection is one which we would all rather not have,” she said.

“We are learning forgiveness, kind justice and unimaginable reconciliation.”

Minister Mutsvangwa said it was a lesson that, “we must be one another’s keeper, brothers and sisters”, adding: “What consumed one of us today, could consume another tomorrow if it is not curtailed.”

Minister Mutsvangwa said it behoved the world to rise in common effort to face and defeat evil whenever and wherever it rears its ugly head.

“Let us together remember those who perished and honour those who survived this tragedy whose strength and love for one another and their country have enabled Rwanda to build one of the most vibrant nations in Africa,” she said.

Minister Mutsvangwa said it was not a coincidence that Zimbabwe recently decided to upgrade its relations with Rwanda.

“We believe that there is a lot to be shared between our two nations in our quest to improve the livelihoods of our respective peoples,” she said.

“I, therefore, wish to extend the solidarity of the people and Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe to the people and Government of the Republic of Rwanda as they remember those that they lost 25 years ago.”