The commemoration, which included a remembrance walk, took place with the presence of local police for security, but notably lacked the participation of any city officials.
This absence mirrored a similar situation that had occurred earlier in the city of Liège, where Rwandans and their friends were also denied support from local authorities.
Unlike the outright denial faced by the community in Liège, the Bruges memorial was allowed to proceed, albeit with restrictions. Participants were not permitted access to the city's administrative spaces for their commemorative discussions, and no representatives from the municipal government joined the activities.
The event was organized by the local branch of the survivors' association, led by Yvette Umutangana. She emphasized the importance of preserving Rwanda's history and recognized the ongoing efforts required to counter denial and trivialization of the Genocide.
Umutangana also expressed disappointment at the refusal of the city's mayor to attend, despite having previously committed to participate in the walk.
Throughout the remembrance, she highlighted the resilience of Genocide survivors and the emotional burden they continue to carry. She stressed that remembering the victims is not just a matter of honoring the past but also a responsibility for the present, reinforcing that survivors must continue to speak out and advocate for truth.
Despite the restrictions and symbolic absence from the authorities, the Rwandan community in Bruges remained committed to their cause. The walk itself became a testament to their presence and unity.
While daily life continued for many local residents, the Rwandan participants were reminded of the indifference that was also present during the 1994 Genocide. The sense of exclusion they felt from being denied access to city buildings echoed historical patterns of marginalization.
Other speakers at the event, including Eugène Twagira Mutabazi the President of IBUKA Belgique, reiterated the need to draw strength from these experiences rather than be discouraged.
He pointed out that the lack of recognition or participation from Belgian authorities should serve as motivation to persist in the fight against Genocide denial.
The commemoration also included testimonies, including that of Claudine Mukakinani, and a dedicated session led by children who expressed a strong sense of responsibility to carry forward the legacy of their families, even when they had never personally known some of the victims.
Deo Mazina, the Director of the International Research and Genocide Network (RESIRG), reflected on the historical roots of the Genocide, tracing the violence back to 1959 and pointing out the brutal methods used to target Tutsi individuals.
He emphasized that remembering these events is crucial to preventing similar atrocities in the future.
Karirima Aimable Ngarambe
