In remarks delivered during a commemoration event held at the EAC headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania, Nduva paid tribute to the more than one million lives lost in 100 days and lauded the resilience of survivors, calling their journey of healing, forgiveness, and reconciliation a source of inspiration for the region.
"Despite enduring deep pain and trauma, they have chosen to forgive and reconcile. They are the epitome of hope, renewal and inspiration for us all to recommit to, 'Never Again to Genocide,'" Nduva stated.
Highlighting the genocide's chilling warning signsâ€"hate speech, ethnic profiling, incitement, and dehumanisationâ€"the Secretary General warned that these patterns remain evident in some parts of the region today, and are now amplified by social media, disinformation, and broader socio-political vulnerabilities.
"Genocide is not spontaneous; it is a process," she noted, referencing the eight stages of genocide developed by Prof. Gregory Stanton. "Timely, strategic interventions are key to disrupting this process before it escalates into mass violence."
The EAC has taken steps in recent years to institutionalise early warning systems, including the establishment of a regional early warning centre and national hubs in some partner states. The Secretary General stressed the need to expand and strengthen these systems, ensuring timely data collection, analysis, and response.
The call for stronger prevention mechanisms comes amid growing concern over rising hate speech and ethnic tensions in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where the M23 rebels accuse the government of perpetuating ethnic persecution of Congolese Tutsis, further escalating tensions in the region.
The EAC urged partner states to intensify collaboration through a joint mechanism on genocide prevention, in line with Article 5(2)(b) of the Protocol on Peace and Security, and to ensure justice for victims by pursuing accountability for perpetrators.
"As we remember the atrocities of 1994, we must also confront present-day threats with urgency and coordination. Prevention is a shared responsibilityâ€"no nation is immune," the Secretary General emphasised.
Since 2014, the EAC has maintained a Genocide Memorial at its headquarters to honour victims and reaffirm its commitment to the principle of "Never Again." The Secretariat also partners with the Government of Rwanda and international institutions during annual commemorative activities, including the symbolic Walk to Remember.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
