Remarks by

Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the African Union and Head of UNOAU

on the Occasion of the High-Level Event on the 31^st Commemoration of the Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda, 07 April 2025

Your Excellency, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission,

Your Excellency, Selma Malika Haddadi, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission,

Your Excellency, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the African Union Commission,

Your Excellencies, Commissioners of the African Union,

Your Excellency, Adama Dieng, AU Special Envoy for the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities,

Your Excellency, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, representing the Federal Republic of Ethiopia,

Your Excellency, Maj. Gen, (Rtd) Charles Karamba, Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda to Federal Republic of Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the AU,

Distinguished Religious Leaders present here today,

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to thank the African Union Commission and the Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda in Ethiopia for convening this year’s commemoration of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda under the theme, “Remember-Unite-Renew”.

Despite the pledge of ‘Never Again’ after the tragedy of the Holocaust, and the obligations contained in the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948), the world failed to prevent the calamity of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda in 1994, or to act decisively once it became clear that mass atrocity crimes were indeed taking place in the country.

As we commit to “Remember-Unite-Renew", and in honour of the victims, we must continue to ask ourselves what lessons should be learned from the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994; and indeed, to also ensure that we have the appropriate mechanisms in place to prevent and respond to similar ominous situations in the future.

Today’s commemoration is an apt reminder of the imperative to proactively act as we witness with great concern growing number of conflicts on the continent that have been fuelled by hate speech and genocidal ideologies.

We must strengthen the existing early warning and response mechanisms, including those provided under the Africa Peace and Security Architecture. There is also a need for profound reflection on the past, to remember why the Genocide Convention was adopted, and furthermore to renew our call to Member States that have not adopted or ratified it, to do so without further delay.  

Prevention, through raising awareness about the dangers of hate speech, radicalisation and extremism, is critical. In this connection, we welcome the decision by the African Union to establish a Human Rights physical memorial on the African Union Commission grounds in Addis Ababa.

We also welcome the decision taken in 2021 to complement the physical memorial with a virtual memorial [ as mentioned earlier by Commissioner Bankole]. The United Nations Office to the African Union is proud to have been associated with the virtual memorial project and looks forward to its full operationalisation.   

Chairperson, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to stress the imperative for responsible use of the media, both digital and non-digital, but also Artificial Intelligence (AI) and education, as being critical in preventing genocide and other mass atrocity crimes.

During the recent Open Session of the Peace and Security Council on Hate Crimes and Fighting Genocidal Ideology in Africa and 31st Anniversary Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, held on Wednesday 02 April 2025, Council Members noted that digital media and artificial intelligence (AI) are platforms where hate speech and genocidal ideology is easily accessible, and misinformation can be spread.

The PSC noted that social media is a means through which hate speech is magnified, and that this is negatively impacting peace and security efforts on the continent. We must therefore be vigilant in preventing such abuse of social media, while also recognizing its immense potential.

Chairperson, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I now have the honour to read to you the Message of the Secretary-General of the United Nations on the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda, quote: “Today we mourn the one million children, women and men slaughtered in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

This appalling chapter in human history was not a spontaneous frenzy of horrendous violence. It was intentional, premeditated and planned -- including through hate speech that inflamed division, and spread lies and dehumanization.

The overwhelming majority of victims were Tutsi, but also Hutu and others who opposed the genocide.

As we recall how these crimes came about, we must also reflect on resonance with our own times. 

These are days of division. The narrative of “us” versus “them” is ascendant, polarizing societies. Digital technologies are being weaponized to further inflame hate, stoke division, and spread lies.

We must learn from the terrible history of the genocide in Rwanda, and act to stem the tide of hate speech, stop disunity and discontent mutating into violence, uphold human rights, and ensure accountability.

I urge all States to deliver on commitments made in the Global Digital Compact to tackle online falsehoods and hate, to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law, and to become parties to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide without delay.

On this day of remembrance, let’s commit to be vigilant and to work together to build a world of justice and dignity for all – in honour of all the victims, and survivors of the genocide in Rwanda”.   

That ends the message of the Secretary-General.

*********

Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, the time to act is now.

I thank you for your kind attention.