April 6, 2026 — 32 Years After the Tragedy
In a message published on his official Twitter (X) account, Eric Habyarimana marked the 32nd anniversary of the events of April 6, 1994, describing what he called “three decades of confiscated memory and imposed silence.”
Referring to the Assassination of Juvénal Habyarimana and Cyprien Ntaryamira, Habyarimana recalled the deaths of former presidents Juvénal Habyarimana and Cyprien Ntaryamira, stating that the attack “triggered a tragedy whose consequences continue to shape Rwanda and the wider Great Lakes region.”
A “Confiscated Memory”
In his post, Habyarimana criticized what he described as a “selective narrative” surrounding the events that followed.
According to him, Rwanda today officially promotes national unity and the disappearance of ethnic divisions. However, he argued that in practice, “only one memory is recognized, only one suffering is legitimized, and only one version of history is allowed.”
He further claimed that many victims remain excluded from public remembrance, writing that “some are given the right to mourn, while others are condemned to silence.”
Call for Truth and Reconciliation
Marking the 32-year milestone, Habyarimana called for what he described as a necessary shift:
“The truth can no longer remain fragmented. Reconciliation cannot remain an empty slogan.”
He emphasized that lasting peace, in his view, depends on acknowledging all victims and allowing open historical discourse without restriction.
Regional Implications
The statement also extended beyond Rwanda’s borders, linking the legacy of the 1994 events to ongoing tensions in the Great Lakes region.
Habyarimana asserted that Rwanda is increasingly perceived by some neighboring countries as a source of “interference, exploitation, and recurring conflict,” warning that such perceptions risk deepening instability if left unaddressed.
Vision for a “Different Rwanda”
In his message, Habyarimana outlined a vision for the country’s future:
recognition of all victims,
freedom of memory and expression,
equal dignity for all citizens,
and an end to fear in public life.
He argued that “no authority should decide whose suffering matters and whose is erased.”
“Hope Still Exists”
Despite his criticisms, Habyarimana concluded his statement on a note of cautious optimism, affirming that “another Rwanda is possible — reconciled, just, and at peace with its full truth.”
He ended by honoring all those who lost their lives since April 6, 1994, stating:
“We do not forget.”
