General Romeo Dallaire has lauded the level of forgiveness and grace showcased by Rwandans as the country commemorates the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi for the 30th time.
Dallaire, a retired Canadian military officer, was the force commander of UNAMIR, a United Nations peacekeeping force for Rwanda in 1994 when the Genocide against the Tutsi unfolded, and was an eyewitness to the horrors that unfolded during the Genocide.
In a message that he shared ahead of the 30th commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi (Kwibuka 30), Dallaire described the Genocide as events of “indescribable loss and biblical inhumanity”, as he asked Rwandans to join him in looking ahead “with strength, hope, joy, and peace.
“For these are the qualities that Rwanda represents for me. This is why Rwanda is home to the African Centre of Excellence of the Dallaire Institute for Children Peace and Security, to advance this mutual legacy across the continent, and the world,” he said.
Founded by him, the Dallaire Institute for Children Peace and Security is an international repository of expertise, research, and advocacy to prevent the recruitment and use of children in armed violence. The Dallaire Institute’s approach pursues meaningful engagement that prioritizes the safety of children and equally recognizes the moral dilemmas faced by the security sector actors operating in areas where children are being recruited and used.
It aims to help all parties fully understand the long-term socio-economic, psychological, and structural harm caused by recruiting and using children for armed violence. In doing so, it aims at changing attitudes and behavior patterns, as it supports partners through the processes required to prevent child recruitment and use – from the security sector to policymakers and in collaboration with local community organizations and networks.
In his statement, as Rwanda heads for the 30th commemoration, Dallaire reminisced on his visit to Rwanda in 2023 where he toured his old UN headquarters in Kigali and the significant sites of the atrocities throughout the country. In addition, being a part of the Giants of Africa Youth Festival provided an opportunity to meet with many Rwandans who were born after 1994 as well as youth from all over Africa.
“These beautiful, positive, luminous young adults were so joyful and enthusiastic. I quickly realized why: they had been blessed with an extraordinary gift from the previous generation – the gift of unity. The gift of peace,” he said.
“The past thirty years in Rwanda have stood as the most profound example of noble and brave peacemaking I have ever witnessed; perhaps that ever existed. The level of forgiveness and grace demonstrated by the Rwandan people has been glorious, and will stand for all time as an example to the rest of the world,” he added.
