Rwanda

The UN Secretary General ends visit in Rwanda

Kigali , 30 January 2008 : The United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon has ended his visit to Rwanda on Tuesday. His visit started with a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, where he laid a wreath on the mass graves of Genocide victims. While at the memorial, Mr. Ban Ki-moon pledged $10, 000 (approx. Frw5.45 million) to support the victims of the 1994 Genocide. “Our condolences go to the survivors. Their resilience continues to inspire us. We are expressing our solidarity to the survivors of the tragedy and hope that their lost future will be regained”, he said. At the Memorial, he was welcomed by the Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport, Mr. Joseph Habineza and the Mayor of Kigali, Dr. Aissa Kirabo Kakira.

The same day, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon visited the Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Bernard Makuza who requested the Secretary General to support the transfers of genocide cases to Rwanda and the arrest of fugitives still at large.

The Secretary General also met with President Paul Kagame. They discussed the progress made by Rwanda in implementing the Millennium Development Goals, in particular in primary education and gender equality. They also discussed the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo , as well as Rwanda 's contribution to the hybrid force in Darfur . The Secretary General commended Rwanda for its development achievements and its contribution to peace and security in the region. “I also commend Rwanda for its commitment to the Nairobi Communiqué, signed with the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo last year, on a common approach to securing peace and stability in the region”, he said.

The secretary general commended Rwanda 's support to the work of the ICTR and praised the country for the waiver of death penalty and the strengthening of the capacities of the judicial and detention facilities.

Mr. Ban expressed concerns over the situation in Kenya and pledged continued UN support to the peace process in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In the afternoon, the Secretary General addressed the Parliamentarians. Addressing parliamentarians, Mr. Ban Ki-moon said the country has made tremendous progress since the genocide. Thanks to the courage and determination of the Rwandan people, and with the help of the United Nations and the international community, the country has moved from successful recovery towards long-term sustainable development.

The Secretary General also visited the UN supported Rwanda Women Network's Village of Hope, a national non-governmental organization dedicated to the promotion and improvement of the socio-economic welfare of women, many of them victims of the 1994 Genocide.