Rwanda is marking the anniversary of the 1994 genocide, a tragic chapter in its history that saw 800,000 people, primarily from the Tutsi ethnic group, massacred by Hutu militias. The sombre commemoration, known as Kwibuka (“Remembrance” in Kinyarwanda), spans 100 days starting on 7 April.
President Paul Kagame is expected to pay his respects at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where over 250,000 victims are buried. However, this year’s remembrance is overshadowed by ongoing diplomatic tensions and accusations surrounding Rwanda’s alleged backing of the Tutsi-led M23 rebel group in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The European Union has responded by imposing sanctions on senior Rwandan military figures and the head of Rwanda’s state mining agency, citing their involvement in supporting M23 fighters in eastern DRC. Human Rights Watch has also called for further sanctions, urging the EU to take stronger actions unless Rwanda ceases its alleged support for the rebel group. In response, Rwanda has cut diplomatic ties with Belgium, accusing the European country of undermining Kigali’s position in the ongoing conflict, which has deep historical roots dating back to Belgian colonial rule in the DRC.
The genocide, which began on 7 April 1994, left deep scars on Rwanda and the surrounding region, with many survivors still seeking justice. Rwanda’s efforts to rebuild since the genocide have been marred by regional instability, particularly with the DRC, where ethnic tensions and armed conflicts continue to impact the broader Great Lakes region. While Rwanda seeks to move forward from its dark past, the accusations surrounding its involvement with the M23 rebel group highlight the ongoing challenges in the region, complicating the narrative of reconciliation and recovery.