During the International Conference on Genocide prevention held in Kigali on December 9, Dr. Jean Damascène Bizimana, the Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, the center will focus on conducting research on genocide prevention worldwide, a role previously handled by Western international organizations.
The conference brought together diverse participants, including researchers, university professors, representatives of international organizations and other global stakeholders.
It was highlighted the global community lacks full engagement in addressing conflicts that could potentially lead to further genocides if left unchecked. Examples were cited of hate speech and violence targeting the Kinyarwanda speaking Congolese in eastern DRC, the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the war in South Sudan.
Minister Bizimana emphasized that as a country that experienced genocide, Rwanda strongly opposes and actively works to prevent any actions that could lead to division or discrimination, which are the root causes of violence and loss of life.
He explained that Rwanda, in collaboration with the African Union, has established the African Centre for the Prevention of Genocide to serve as a global platform for research and training.
'The center aims to prevent genocide wherever it may arise globally. It will offer training programs for various groups, including diplomats, researchers, teachers, business people, youth, and others. While the center will primarily focus on Africans, it will also engage international participants in efforts to prevent genocide and its ideologies,' he elaborated.
He also noted that while international organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch produce reports on these issues, Rwanda wants the new center to conduct in-depth research that goes beyond the actions of Western nations.
'We want this center to become a hub for expert, comprehensive research that is not limited to Western narratives,' he said.
Dr. Bizimana further stressed the need for collective efforts to combat the ideology of genocide, as the spread of such ideologies remains pervasive across various social groups, including youth.
Ismael Buchanan, a political science and international relations lecturer at the University of Rwanda, stated that hosting this center provides Rwanda with an important platform to contribute to global genocide prevention.
'Having this center in Rwanda would serve as a global lesson, enabling us to exchange knowledge on how to tackle issues like genocide, which often arise from deep-seated conflicts and hate speech, as seen in places like the DRC,' he said.
Adama Dieng, the African Union's Special Envoy for the Prevention of Genocide, called the center vital not only for Rwanda, a nation that lived through the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, but also for the entire continent.
'This center will serve as a platform for dialogue and reconciliation, promoting peace and healing not only within Rwanda but across Africa,' he said.
'Remembering the painful history of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi is crucial for building a resilient society. This center will help Rwanda and the region to not only heal but also educate the current and future generations about Rwanda's and Africa's history,' he added.
IGIHE
