The commemoration brought together members of the diplomatic corps, senior officials from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), representatives of the African Union organs based in South Africa, and members of the Rwandan diaspora. The gathering served as a solemn platform to reflect on the tragic events of 1994, honour the memory of the victims, and reaffirm a shared commitment to ensuring that such atrocities are never repeated. These three objectives were echoed by the High Commissioner of the Republic of Rwanda to South Africa in his keynote address. H.E. Emmanuel Hategeka stressed the duties of remembrance, unity, and renewal while preserving the memory of the genocide, ensuring accountability for those responsible, and advancing national healing and reconciliation. He called upon those responsible to come forward, as this will help the victims to heal and allow the reconciliation process to proceed.

 

Participants shared the sentiment that African Member States have a collective responsibility to prevent the recurrence of such crimes. They noted that the genocide may have been averted had early warning signs, particularly the spread of hate propaganda through state-controlled media, been recognised and addressed in a timely manner, emphasising the critical importance of vigilance, early warning, and preventative action.

 

Mr Maile Majane, Legal Officer at the APRM Continental Secretariat, represented the APRM CEO, H.E. Ambassador Marie-Antoinette Rose-Quatre, at the event, underlining the central role that the Mechanism continues to play in promoting good governance, strengthening democratic institutions, and supporting conflict prevention efforts on the continent.