Rwanda's Resilience and Liberia's Reflection: A Journey of Hope and Reconciliation

In a poignant ceremony held in Monrovia, Liberia, Rwanda’s Ambassador to Liberia, Rosemary Mbabazi, delivered a powerful message on the importance of remembering and learning from the past. Addressing the gathering, she emphasized that genocide is never accidental but a result of careful planning and execution. "This must never happen again," Mbabazi stated firmly. "Every human life matters — whether from the richest nations or the poorest."

Over 300 people from Government, diplomacy, UN Liberia, academia, and youth joined the Rwandan community in Liberia for a commemorative symposium on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi where various stakeholders discussed the effects of hate speech and the ideology of genocide.

Representing the United Nations, Resident Coordinator Christine Umutoni read a part of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message for the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 genocide. Guterres’ words resonated deeply with the audience: "We must stem the tide of hate speech and stop division and discontent from mutating into violence. On this day of remembrance, let us commit to vigilance, action, and unity to build a world of justice and dignity for all."

As Rwanda and the world reflect on one of humanity’s darkest chapters, the commemoration in Monrovia served as a stark reminder for Liberia: peace is fragile, and justice is non-negotiable. The event underscored the importance of vigilance and unity in preventing such atrocities from recurring.

Despite its tragic past, Rwanda has emerged as a beacon of resilience and renewal. Ambassador Mbabazi highlighted the nation’s remarkable transformation under President Paul Kagame, attributing the success to self-reliance and homegrown solutions. "While external help is important, we realized that the solutions must first come from within," she noted.

Today, Rwanda’s post-genocide recovery is evident in its strong economic performance, with an average GDP growth rate of about 8%. The country has made substantial progress in healthcare, education, infrastructure, and governance. However, perhaps the most extraordinary achievement is Rwanda’s commitment to national reconciliation. "Hutu, Tutsi, now live together in peace," the ambassador explained. "Perpetrators have returned to their communities, and many have reconciled with survivors’ families. The children of perpetrators are not blamed for the sins of their parents. Everyone is given equal opportunity to thrive."

She described how some former perpetrators now lead civil society organizations focused on healing, while survivors receive support through reintegration initiatives and inclusive community programs.

Ambassador Mbabazi also praised Liberia’s own journey of recovery following its 15-year civil war, drawing parallels between the two nations. "Liberia is doing an amazing job in reconciliation. I see strong commitment from the current leadership to deliver for its citizens," she said. "Yours was 15 years of war; ours was five. Yet look at your progress."

She highlighted Liberia’s achievements in areas such as health, education, agriculture, and national security, and celebrated the strengthening ties between the two nations. Over 4,000 Liberian students, she revealed, are currently studying at Rwandan universities—a testament to the growing academic and diplomatic bonds.