On Monday, December 9, 2024, Kigali, Rwanda, hosted an international conference focused on genocide prevention.
Held at the Kigali Serena Hotel, the event gathered approximately 230 participants, including genocide prevention practitioners, researchers, historians, youth representatives, and other stakeholders.
In his opening remarks, Rwanda’s Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Dr. Bizimana Jean Damascène, reflected on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, emphasizing that it could have been prevented if the global community had not abandoned Rwanda during its darkest moments.
He noted that the genocide, which claimed over a million lives, was meticulously planned over a span of more than 35 years.
The conference was organized to mark the 76th anniversary of the signing of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, adopted in 1948. Despite this landmark agreement, the tragic events in Rwanda 30 years ago underscored humanity’s failure to learn from past atrocities.
Adama Dieng, the African Union Special Envoy on the Prevention of Genocide and Other Mass Atrocities, praised Rwanda for its remarkable recovery, reconciliation efforts, and progress since the genocide.
He called for greater support for survivors, urging global solidarity to amplify their voices. Dieng highlighted the importance of combating hate speech and promoting unity, emphasizing that victory against divisive ideologies is achievable.
Adama Dieng, the African Union Special Envoy on the Prevention of Genocide and Other Mass Atrocities
A significant milestone of the conference was the inauguration of the the African Center for Genocide Prevention (ACGP) as a key institution for research, education, and advocacy on genocide prevention across the continent, the center is located in Kamonyi District.
Dieng commended Rwanda’s initiative to establish the institute, which will provide a platform for research on genocide history and prevention strategies. The African Union pledged its full support for the institute’s operations.
The conference occurred amidst ongoing global conflicts, some raising concerns of potential genocidal acts. These include recent calls from figures like Pope Francis for thorough investigations into possible genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
Recognized genocides globally include the German genocide of the Ovaherero and Nama in Namibia (1904–1908), the Armenian genocide in the Ottoman Empire (1915–1916), the Holocaust during World War II (1941–1945), and the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
