Theme: “Remember-Unite-Renew”.

When: Friday, 7^th of April 2023, from 9:30am – 1:00pm

Where: Nelson Mandela Hall – Start with “A Walk to Remember”, followed by the Official commemoration ceremony, African Union Håeadquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Who: The Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the African Union Commission (AUC), in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda in Ethiopia and Permanent Mission to the African Union.

Purpose and Objectives:

This annual commemoration of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda aims to awaken greater awareness of the African peoples and the international community about the value of life and humanity and to renew our collective commitment to protect and uphold fundamental human rights.

The specific objectives include:

1. To remember the atrocities brought by the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda;
2. To unite together in our fight against the crime of genocide, genocide ideology as well as genocide denial;
3. To collectively commit to justice and the fight against impunity; and
4. To renew the commitment to fight against genocide, hate speech and other crimes against humanity.

Participants:

The 29^th Commemoration will be attended by Officials from the African Union Commission (AUC), AU Member States, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, AU Organs, Religious Institutions, Human Rights Institutions, Intergovernmental organisations, Civil Society Organisations, UN Agencies, Think Tanks, International Organisations, Schools and Academic Institutions in Ethiopia.

Background:

The African Union Permanent Representatives Committee adopted the decision to recognise the 7th of April as a day of remembrance of the victims of the genocide and reaffirmation of Africa’s resolve to prevent and fight genocide on the continent during its special session on the Commemoration of the 10^th Anniversary of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Against this backdrop, the African Union annually organises the Commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

Journalists are invited to cover the 29^th Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

Hashtag: #Kwibuka29

For more information, contact:

Amb. Salah Siddig Hammad | Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security, African Union Commission | Tel: +251 115182615 | E-mail: HammadS@africa-union.org

For media enquiries, please contact:

Mr Paschal Chem-Langhee | Communication Officer | Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security, African Union Commission | E-mail: Chem-LangheeP@africa-union.org