Guard against tribalism—Rwanda
Rwandan High Commissioner Monique Mukaruliza has advised Malawians to guard against ethnic and tribal divisions, warning they can plunge the country into a war similar to what Rwandans experienced in 1994.
The envoy said this on Saturday in Lilongwe during the commemoration of the 57th anniversary of Rwanda’s independence and 25th anniversary of liberation from genocide.
She said Rwanda was liberated in July 1994 when the Rwanda Patriotic Front stopped the genocide that lasted 100 days. More than one million Tutsi and moderate Hutus died in the genocide.
Said Mukaruliza: “The message that I am delivering today to the Rwandan and Malawian communities is to learn from the bad history of Rwanda and work hard for unity and reconciliation. When you are united, you can go wherever you want to go.”
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Bright Msaka said it is everyone’s responsibility to remember as witnesses to the evils that can happen when a nation is divided along ethnic or tribal lines like was the case with Rwanda.
He said Rwanda must be a constant reminder for everyone to reconnect to the African philosophy of Ubunthu and continually promote unity among all African people.
Said Msaka: “I also call upon all of us to unite in renewing our resolve to prevent such atrocities as happened in Rwanda in 1994.”
The 25th Liberation Day was commemorated under the theme Together We Prosper which underscored the importance of unity of Rwandans in their country’s development process.