32nd Anniversary of Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda Commemorated at African Union

 

Addis Ababa, April 7, 2026 (ENA) —The African Union (#AU) today commemorated the 32nd anniversary of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda at its headquarters in Addis Ababa, honoring the memory of more than one million lives lost.

In his remarks, the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, emphasized the importance of remembrance and collective responsibility.

“We remember over one million lives lost to hatred, indifference, and inaction. Kwibuka is not only a moment of mourning, but also a call to truth, responsibility, and vigilance,” he said.

He underscored Africa’s commitment to preventing future atrocities, warning against the dangers of hate speech, division, and polarization.

“Africa affirms: never again will organised hatred be allowed to become a political project. We must confront rising threats—hate speech, division, and polarisation—with unity, courage, and action.”

Highlighting Rwanda’s progress, he noted that the country’s journey of resilience and renewal demonstrates that history is shaped by the will of its people.

“Remembrance obliges us to act, to prevent, and to defend human dignity everywhere. Africa stands firm for peace, justice, and the protection of all,” he concluded.

Also speaking at the commemoration, Ethiopia’s State Minister, Hadera Abera, paid tribute to the victims and reaffirmed Ethiopia’s solidarity with Rwanda.

“We stand in solidarity as Rwanda continues to demonstrate resilience, unity, and renewal. This solemn commemoration highlights our shared responsibility to reject hatred, genocidal ideology, division, and indifference,” he said.

He further reiterated Ethiopia’s steadfast commitment to peace, justice, and human dignity, and to ensuring that such atrocities are never repeated anywhere in the world.

On this occasion, Ethiopia also announced that, as Chair of the AU Peace and Security Council for April 2026, it will convene an open session under the theme: “Hate Crime and Genocide Ideology.”