He was speaking at a commemoration event held in Lilongwe, Malawi, on April 11, 2025, marking 31 years since the genocide.
The commemoration, hosted by the Rwandan High Commission in Zambia (which also holds accreditation for Malawi) and supported by the Malawian government, civil society organizations, and international partners, brought together approximately 200 participants.
Among them were members of the Rwandan community residing in Malawi, representatives from the diplomatic corps, and friends of Rwanda, all united to honor the memory of the victims of the genocide.
The Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs-Malawi, Ambassador Dr. Mwaiwawo PolePole, graced the event as the guest of honor.
Attendees participated in a candle-lighting ritual and observed a moment of silence to pay tribute to the over one million lives tragically lost during the genocide.
Throughout the event, speakers underscored the critical importance of global solidarity in the ongoing fight against genocide denial and revisionism.
In his address, High Commissioner Bugingo emphasized the international community's obligation.
'The 31st Commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi is an occasion for Rwanda and Friends of Rwanda to recall the commitment by the International Community under the 1948 UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide to enact legislations that engage them in fighting genocide and its genocide ideology.
"This commitment that was reiterated by the UN Security Council in its Resolution No. 2150 of April 16, 2014, requesting member states to judge or extradite genocide fugitives on their territories,' he stated.
It has been reported that Rwanda has issued over a thousand indictments to 34 countries.
While some individuals have been apprehended and brought to justice, over 1,000 individuals implicated in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, remain at large.
Echoing the sentiment of shared responsibility, Ambassador Dr. Mwaiwawo PolePole remarked: 'This sad story has more to tell us in relation to our societies. First, I strongly believe most atrocities don't require sophisticated weapons, it only requires hate ideologies to turn a society into a tragedy.'
Malawi's role in fostering cross-border unity and supporting Rwanda's reconciliation journey was lauded.
By bringing together Malawians and Rwandans in shared grief, hope, and unwavering resolve, the event reinforced the powerful and universal message: 'Never Again.'
The Kwibuka31 commemoration in Malawi concluded with a reaffirmed commitment to learn from the lessons of history and to actively work towards building a more peaceful and inclusive world.
IGIHE
