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The Kwibuka Flame of Remembrance today travels to Nyabihu District, the 15th stop on its nationwide tour. The flame will return to Kigali on 7 April 2014, the start of the national mourning period and twenty years since the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. You can view an interactive map of the tour here.
Today’s event is hosted by Mayor Abdoulatif Twahirwa and will reflect on the events of 1994 as well as the journey of Nyabihu and Rwanda since. The special guest is Hon. Protais Mitali, Minister of Sports and Culture. Remarks will also be given by Senator Hon. Evariste Bizimana. The Flame of Remembrance will be received from Rubavu District by two 20-year-old students, Sabrina Niyirera and Olivier Mpenzi. A choir from Mukamira Primary School will sing ‘Urumuri Rutazima’ to welcome the flame. The Master of Ceremony for today’s event is Leonard Muvandimwe.
Testimony will be given by Joseph Bagirinshuti (60) who will discuss the role of schools in promoting division. Testimony from Anastanzi Kayisire (47) will also be given. Anastanzi survived the genocide and witnessed killings at a roadblock known as ‘Nyiranatrengwa’, meaning ‘You can’t cross’. Jean Bosco Ndagijimana (46) will also speak. In 1994, he saved Anastanzi Kayisire. A poem of remebrance will be read by Celestin Kanyamusoro, who was born in Bigogwe sector.
Nyabihu is composed by former Nkuli, Nyamutera, Giciye, Karago and Mutura communes. Nyabihu had more than 7000 victims who today rest at the Mukamira genocide memorial. Many of those who orchestrated the Genocide against the Tutsi, known as the inner circle (akazu), came from both Nyabihu and Rubavu districts, including President Habyarimana’s family, Col Theoneste Bagosora, Pascal Simbikangwa, Col. Anatole Nsengiyumva, Leon Mugesera and Hassan Ngeze. The former mayor of Nkuli commune, Juvenal Kajelijeli, was convicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.
In 1991, 1992 and 1993, the Bagogwe people (a group of Tutsi living in Musanze, Nyabihu and Rubavu) were systematically murdered. Men and women were killed at Mukamira and the Bigogwe military barracks. Others were thrown into the Nyaruhonga cave in Nyabihu District. The Genocide against the Tutsi began on 7 April 1994. After three days, almost all the Bagogwe people living in the area had been killed. The militia who carried out the murders there were then transported to other parts of the country to continue the genocide.
Kwibuka20 Flame Tour Event: Nyabihu Program
When: 2:00 – 4:00pm, 21 February 2014
Where: Nyabihu District
- Welcoming Remarks from the Master of Ceremony Leonard Muvandimwe
- Children’s Choir signing Urumuri Rutazima as the Kwibuka Flame arrives
- Remarks by Nyabihu Mayor Abdoulatif Twahirwa
- Testimony from Joseph Bagirinshuti
- Poem from Celestin Kanyamusoro
- Testimony from Jean Bosco Ndagijimana (who saved Anastanzi Kayisire in 1994)
- Testimony from survivor Anastanzi Kayisire
- Guests invited to write Ribbons of Remembrance
- Remarks by Executive Secretary of the Western Province Paul Jabo
- Remarks will also be given by Senator Hon. Evariste Bizimana.
- Remarks by Special Guest Hon. Protais Mitali, Minister of Sports and Culture
- Final performance of Urumuri Rutazima
Background Information on the Kwibuka Flame of Remembrance
The Kwibuka Flame symbolises remembrance as well as the resilience and courage of Rwandans over the past twenty years. Carried in a simple lamp, it will be used to light other lamps in communities around Rwanda. To mark twenty years since the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, all memorial fires throughout the country will stem from this single Kwibuka Flame. On returning to Kigali, President Paul Kagame will use the Kwibuka Flame to light the National Flame of Mourning. This will take place on 7 April 2014, marking the official beginning of the national mourning period. The flame will also be the source of the fire used at the candlelit vigil at Amahoro Stadium on the evening of 7 April 2014. Learn more about the Flame and its nationwide tour here.
Photos from today’s event will be available on the Kwibuka Flickr and videos on the Kwibuka YouTube channel. The Flame travels to Busogo in Musanze District on Monday 24 February 2014.
Source: Kwibuka.rw
