Remembering the Victims of the Genocide in Rwanda

Every April, Rwandans and the world pause to remember the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi—a period of 100 days marked by profound human loss and suffering.

This year marks the 32nd commemoration of those who perished.

Remembrance should be a sacred, unifying act—free from fear, control, or political influence. It should allow every Rwandan, regardless of background or affiliation, to mourn their loved ones with dignity.

Yet today, this fundamental right is not equally protected for all.

In practice, remembrance in Rwanda has increasingly been shaped and controlled in ways that limit who can speak, who can mourn openly, and whose pain is publicly acknowledged. Many Rwandans live with the quiet reality that remembering certain loved ones, or expressing grief outside of officially sanctioned narratives, can carry consequences.

This creates a dangerous imbalance—where remembrance risks becoming not only a national duty, but also a political instrument.

True national healing cannot exist where memory is selective.

A nation cannot fully reconcile if some citizens feel excluded from mourning, silenced in their grief, or fearful of how their remembrance may be perceived by authorities. The dignity of the dead must never depend on political alignment, and the right to remember must never be conditional.

As we reflect on the lessons of the genocide, we must confront a difficult truth: when remembrance is controlled, history itself risks being narrowed, and the space for genuine unity is weakened.

The Rwanda National Congress stands in solidarity with all Rwandans—without exception. We reaffirm that:

Every life lost matters. Every family has the right to remember. Every voice deserves to be heard.

We also remember those who continue to suffer beyond the past—young people drawn into conflicts beyond our borders, often without choice, and those who have lost their lives in detention for expressing their beliefs, including voices like Kizito Mihigo.

Their memory, too, deserves recognition.

A just and unified Rwanda must be built on inclusivity, truth, and the unconditional respect for human dignity. Remembrance must never divide—it must bring people together.

Let us remember all—freely, equally, and without fear.

In unity we rise. 

RNC MEDIA

Rewrite the Story: A Call for Unity, Truth, and Ownership of Rwanda’s Future.

Fellow Rwandans, brothers and sisters,

“For too long, Rwanda’s story has been shaped by division—but today, we choose to rewrite it through unity, truth, and the courage to take responsibility for our future.”

Today, I stand before you not only to reflect on our past, but to confront our present—and to boldly claim our future. A future that belongs to all of us. A future that demands our courage, our unity, and our responsibility.

Since the creation of Rwanda as a sovereign nation, the manipulation of ethnic identity has too often been used as a political weapon. From the monarchy, through successive republics, and even today, division has been cultivated rather than healed. And the cost has been devastating—measured in mistrust, instability, and the suffering of our people.

Under the leadership of Paul Kagame, serious questions remain about governance, unity, and the true direction of our nation. Regional tensions, including involvement in conflicts beyond our borders, have only deepened the burden carried by ordinary citizens.

But let us also speak truth with honesty and courage.

The opposition—especially those in exile—has not yet risen to meet this moment. Division, mistrust, and competing ambitions have weakened what should be a force of hope. Without unity, there can be no change. Without a shared vision, there can be no victory for democracy.

Rwanda does not belong to one group, one party, or one ideology.

Rwanda belongs to its people. All its people.

And it is time we begin building a nation rooted in equality, justice, and accountability. A nation where the law serves everyone equally. A nation where leadership is respected—not feared. A nation where every citizen has a voice in shaping the future.

We have seen what is possible. In South Africa, during the struggle against apartheid, people came together—across divisions—to build a constitution that reflected the will of the people. That spirit of unity and courage must inspire us.

Rwandans must take ownership of Rwanda.

A people-driven constitutional process is not optional—it is essential.

And reconciliation—true reconciliation—must go deeper than words. It cannot be imposed, and it cannot be superficial. It must be honest. It must be inclusive. It must allow every voice to be heard, and every wound to be acknowledged.

Let us also remember this: no foreign power will come to rescue us.

History has made that clear. The responsibility lies with us. With Rwandans.

This is why I call upon the youth—at home and across the diaspora:

Rise.

Engage.

Question.

Challenge.

Lead.

You are not the leaders of tomorrow—you are the leaders of today.

Thirty years is a long time.

Thirty years of pain.

Thirty years of division.

Thirty years of missed opportunity.

But it is not too late.

The future is still unwritten.

To those in opposition, I say this: put aside your differences. Learn from the past. Unite—not for personal ambition, but for the generations that will come after us.

Because in unity, we rise.

And in unity, we will build a Rwanda that is just, democratic, and truly free.

“When a people choose unity over division, courage over fear, and purpose over self-interest—no force can stop them from building a nation that is truly free.”

Thank you.

President of RNC Foundation and Chairman of Rwanda National Congress

Rwanda National Congress attends RSSB Tigers game at the Basketball Africa League 2026.

 

Johannesburg, South Africa 27th March— Members of the Rwanda National Congress (RNC) turned out in impressive numbers to support Rwanda’s RSSB Tigers in their clash against Al Ahly Libya during the  Basketball Africa League (BAL) games held in Pretoria.

The tournament tipped off with high intensity at the SunBet Arena, where both teams displayed exceptional skill and determination in front of a vibrant and engaged crowd.

RNC members, proudly dressed in their bright and striking colors, added to the electric atmosphere as RSSB Tigers delivered a strong performance on the court. In an exciting contest, RSSB secured victory with a final score of 103–95 against Al Ahly Libya.

The event also drew notable entertainment figures, including Tanzanian music star Harmonize, whose presence energized the arena. South African artist Young Stunna kept the momentum going with a halftime performance, entertaining fans during a thrilling day of basketball action that also saw Dar City spoil the Johannesburg Giants’ BAL debut.

The Basketball Africa League continues through 31 May, promising more high-level competition and memorable moments.

In unity we rise.

RNC MEDIA

Rwanda National Congress's beginning-of-Year Message for Our Struggle

PEOPLE BEFORE POWER

We begin this year with clarity. We are not a trend. We are not noise. We are not a reaction.

We are a people-centered movement rising because dignity has been delayed, justice postponed, and the future stolen from the many to protect the few. We exist because a society cannot call itself stable while fear replaces freedom. It cannot call itself developed while youth are managed instead of empowered. It cannot call itself peaceful while voices are silenced and truth is punished. This movement is born from a simple truth: Power must serve the people. The country must belong to its citizens. The future must be built by those who will live in it OUR PURPOSE We organize to restore human dignity, civic power, and social justice. We struggle to build a society where: Youth are educated, employed, and trusted — not controlled. Institutions protect citizens, not political interests. Leadership is accountable, not untouchable. Development serves households, not headlines. Peace is rooted in justice, not fear. We are not only resisting what is wrong. We are building what is right. OUR PRINCIPLES We commit ourselves to: • People before power Every policy, institution, and leader must answer to the lives of ordinary people. • Non-violent, disciplined struggle We reject destruction, tribalism, and hatred. Our strength is organization, truth, numbers, and moral clarity. • Political consciousness We believe an informed people cannot be permanently dominated. • Youth leadership The future will not be negotiated without the youth. We prepare a generation to think, organize, and lead. • Truth and accountability No authority is above questioning. No injustice is beyond exposure. OUR PRIORITIES FOR THIS YEAR 1. Political clarity We will define our demands, values, and vision in language ordinary people can own. 2. People’s organization We will build local circles, youth forums, and community networks that turn supporters into participants. 3. Political education We will study history, power, rights, and non-violent struggle to build a movement that understands what it is facing. 4. Youth mobilization We will train young people to become organizers, communicators, and community leaders. 5. Narrative power We will center the voices of citizens, challenge propaganda, and present a people’s vision of the future. 6. Community grounding We will listen before we lead. Serve before we speak. Build trust before we mobilize. 7. Movement discipline and care We will protect our integrity, our unity, and our people. OUR UNDERSTANDING No system changes because it is exposed. It changes when people are organized. No struggle is won by anger alone. It is won by clarity, structure, courage, and participation. No future is gifted. It is claimed, built, and defended by conscious citizens. OUR COMMITMENT This year we move: From posts to people. From outrage to organization. From awareness to action. From spectators to builders of history. We do not seek chaos. We seek a society that works. We do not seek power for ourselves. We seek power returned to the people. We do not inherit the future. We organize to create it. The struggle continues — not as a cry, but as a construction. Not as noise, but as a movement.

Not for power, but for the people.