Yesterday marked a significant moment at the United Nations with the installation of the “Kwibuka Flame of Hope.” This is the first permanent tribute to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda at such a prominentd institution. Though it didn’t make major headlines, this monument now stands as a lasting reminder of the more than one million lives lost in just 100 days.

For those of us who survived, this is deeply meaningful. It acknowledges our pain, our resilience, and the lives of our loved ones taken simply because they were Tutsis.

According to the UN press release from September 12, 2024, the statue is located in the north garden area at the UN Headquarters in New York. It is visible from the Visitors’ Plaza, near the entrance at 46th Street and First Avenue.

This monument is not just for us but for the world. Much like the Holocaust, the Genocide against the Tutsi often faces denial and revisionism. Placing this memorial at the UN Headquarters hopefully helps counter these dangerous distortions.

For me, seeing this tribute in New York, USA—a place that once ignored our cries—is both bittersweet and somewhat healing. It means our story is now recognized and preserved far beyond Rwanda. It is especially poignant given that just a few years ago, we had to fight to ensure that the genocide against the Tutsi was acknowledged by its rightful name at the UN, rather than being obscured by vague terms like “Rwandan genocide.” This new monument, which uses the correct terminology, represents a significant step in honoring our history and ensuring it is remembered accurately.

For more details, you can read the full press release here. Ends

Albert Gasake, September 13, 2024.