The African Union has marked the 32nd commemoration of the 1994 Genocide between the Tutsi in Rwanda.
The event, known as Kwibuka 32, focused on remembrance and reflection, with renewed calls to prevent genocide and hate crimes across the continent.
Leaders, diplomats and survivors gathered at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa will honour more than one million people killed during the genocide.
The commemoration included a Walk to Remember, the lighting of the Flame of Remembrance and the launch of a virtual human rights memorial.
AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Bankole Adeoye, says the day serves as a reminder of collective responsibility.
“Today, we join the government and the good people of Rwanda to honour the 1 000 000 lives lost. We stand together to reaffirm one message, ‘never again,’” said Adeoye.
AU Special Envoy for the Prevention of Genocide Adama Dieng has called for stronger action.
“We must reaffirm our commitment to justice, renew our collective responsibility, renew our commitment to never repeating these atrocities,” said Dieng.
The United Nations has also welcomed efforts to strengthen remembrance through digital platforms.
UN Special Representative to the African Union Parfait Onanga-Anyanga says, “The digital integration of the AU human rights memorial museum is a tool for genocide prevention. The UN stands with the AU.”
The commemoration comes ahead of a planned AU Peace and Security Council session on hate crimes and genocide ideology in Africa.
32nd Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda (Kwibuka32).
On the 32nd anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda (#Kwibuka32), the Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the African Union (AU) Commission in collaboration… pic.twitter.com/MWjse9gSOH
— African Union (@_AfricanUnion) April 6, 2026
