© AFP – SIMON WOHLFAHRT
Rwandan President Paul Kagame (L) and First Lady Jeannette Kagame (R) light the flame at the Gisozi Genocide Memorial, in Kigali, Rwanda, April 7, 2022.
Rwandans gather from today in memory of the victims of the Tutsi genocide. These are the 28th commemorations of the genocide and they will last 100 days, like every year. They began in the morning with an official ceremony at the Gisozi memorial in Kigali. President Paul Kagame delivered a speech in English in which he responded to the main criticisms leveled once morest Rwanda, particularly regarding freedom of expression and justice.
With our correspondent in Kigali, Laure Broulard
Like every year, Paul Kagame launched the commemorations by lighting the flame of remembrance, which will burn for 100 days. In front of a restricted audience, made up of representatives of the main associations of survivors, members of the government and diplomats, he then addressed his detractors.
« On a day like this, everyone is speechless. And it’s not because it’s not possible to speak, as some people imply. There are people who claim that we are a country without freedom of expression. It’s bullshit said President Kagame.
The Head of State also defended his policy of reconciliation, the Rwandan judicial system and accused Western countries of remaining silent in the face of the genocide.
« We are a small country, but our justice is great. And there are great and powerful countries, but whose justice is small. And they don’t have a lesson to teach anyone. Because they are also part of this history, which has seen more than a million of our fellow citizens perish “said Paul Kagame.
For the third consecutive year, the commemorations are held under the sign of the coronavirus. Major collective events, such as the Remembrance Walk and the Vigil, will not take place. But across the country, Rwandans can attend local ceremonies and talk groups.
► Read also Rwanda: the archives of the association of survivors of the Tutsi Ibuka genocide digitized
