As Rwanda marks 31 years since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, the United Nations Special Representative to the African Union, Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, has urged African leaders and institutions to take urgent and proactive measures to curb rising hate speech and genocidal ideologies across the continent.
Speaking during the Kwibuka 31 commemoration, Onanga-Anyanga said the anniversary is “an apt reminder of the imperative to proactively act” as Africa faces a growing number of conflicts stoked by ethnic hatred and inflammatory rhetoric.
“The atrocities that were carried out, though horrifying and unsettling to this day, were real. We cannot rewrite history, nor deny it,” he emphasized, reaffirming the UN’s unwavering stance on memory, truth, and justice.
Onanga-Anyanga also stressed the importance of accountability: “Today we remember and honour the victims, united in a common purpose to ensure there is full accountability and perpetrators face justice.”
He closed with a strong call to action: “Today, we renew our commitment to prevent the reoccurrence of such atrocities. #NeverAgain.”
His remarks come at a time when the African continent is grappling with escalating violence in countries like Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Sahel region—crises that observers warn carry echoes of past tragedies if not urgently addressed. 