Rwanda Genocide 30 Years on: Africa’s Christian Professionals in Solidarity, “remembering tragic loss of innocent lives”

The Christian Professionals say that the 30th anniversary of the genocide needs to inspire humanity to commit to seeking lasting peace.

“As we mark this solemn anniversary, let us recommit to creating a world where such atrocities never recur,” they say, adding, “May the memories of the victims inspire us to tirelessly pursue peace, tolerance, and understanding.”

ACPF officials also call on the international community “to reaffirm its commitment to preventing genocide and mass atrocities, promoting justice, human rights, and dignity for all.”

In the April 7 statement, the Christian professionals in Africa “commend Rwanda's resilience and determination in rebuilding, fostering unity, and reconciliation, offering hope to all.”

The 1994 Rwandan genocide was reportedly triggered by the 6 April 1994 shooting down of the plane on which the country’s President, Juvenal Habyarimana, alongside his counterpart in Burundi, President Cyprien Ntaryamira, were passengers.

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The two Presidents, both Hutu, were returning from peace talks between the Hutu and the Tutsi, when their plane was shot down as it prepared to land in Kigali, killing all who were on board. 

In May 2023, Pope Francis dismissed from clerical duties a Rwandan Catholic Priest considered to be a mastermind in the genocide was by. 

Fr. Wenceslas Munyeshyaka who was serving in France’s Diocese of Evreux was accused of playing an active role in the 1994 genocide in different parts of Kigali while he was Parish Priest of the Holy Family Parish of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kigali.

“By Decree dated March 23, 2023, received last week, the Sovereign Pontiff, Pope Francis, by his supreme and final decision which is not subject to any appeal, has dismissed in pœnam from the clerical state Father Wenceslas Munyeshyaka, incardinated in the Archdiocese of Kigali (Rwanda) and currently residing in the Diocese of Evreux,” Bishop Christian Philippe Pierre Robert Nourrichard said in a statement, notifying the Priest of his dismissal.

Earlier, in November 2006, a military tribunal in Rwanda found Fr. Munyeshyaka guilty of rape and involvement in the 1994 genocide against Tutsi and sentenced him in absentia to life imprisonment, KTpress reported.