Rwanda began a week of commemoration on Sunday to mark 30 years of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis, which resulted in the deaths of approximately one million people, mostly Tutsis and moderate Hutus, over 100 days.

President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame, along with foreign dignitaries, laid wreaths at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where more than 250,000 victims are buried. The “Flame of Remembrance” was lit at the memorial and will remain lit for seven days at four genocide memorials in the country.

The commemoration serves as a reminder of the dangers of division, extremism, and hate speech, which can lead to genocide if not contained. Entertainment and sporting competitions were suspended during the commemoration period.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame blamed the inaction of the international community for allowing the 1994 genocide to happen.

The international community, including the African Union Commission, the European Council, and French President Emmanuel Macron who admitted to Frances role in the genocide , expressed hope that the commemoration would ensure that the genocide never happens again and acknowledged their failure to prevent the massacres in 1994.