Organised under the theme “Remember-Unite- Renew”, the event marks over three decades since the 100-day tragedy. The AU has officially commemorated the Genocide against Tutsi since April 7, 2010, to honour the memory of lives lost and show solidarity with survivors.

The annual commemoration aims to “continuously awaken greater awareness of the African people and the international community about the value of life and humanity and to renew collective commitment to protect and uphold fundamental human rights,” AU Commission stated in a post.

According to organisers, the ceremony serves as a platform to “unite together in our fight against genocide, its ideology, hate speech and other crimes against humanity; and to renew our resolve to ensure that Genocide does not happen ever again.”

The event will feature a “Walk to Remember,” the lighting of the Flame of Remembrance, and the launch of the AU Human Rights Virtual Memorial, which will feature the “introduction of the component of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tusti in Rwanda.

High-level attendees will include representatives from AU member states, the AU Commission, members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the AU, AU organs, religious institutions, human rights institutions, intergovernmental and civil society organisations, UN agencies, think tanks, international organisations, and academic institutions in Ethiopia. 

The participants will also reflect on Rwanda’s story of reconciliation and its “home grown solutions” for nation-building.

AU highlighted beyond the remembrance of the “dark days” of 1994, the 32nd commemoration offers a platform for the international community to learn from “Rwanda’s story of reconciliation, conflict resolution mechanisms, nation building and home grown solutions.”

The day serves a reminder of the collective resolve to ensure such atrocities never occur “in Rwanda or elsewhere in Africa and beyond.”