More world leaders have arrived in Rwanda ahead of its genocide commemoration set for Sunday, April 7.
Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou and Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel arrived in Kigali on Sunday ahead of the event that will mark 25 years since Rwanda experienced the genocide.
Earlier on, the Republic of Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso and the Governor General of Canada also arrived in the East African country ahead of the commemoration.
Sunday’s event will be led by President Paul Kagame, who has been hailed for his leadership in ending the genocide and leading the country on a path of recovery and reconciliation.
The 1994 genocide killed more than one million people and displaced millions more over a period of 100 days.
Rwandans who lost their loved ones during the genocide will have a chance to lay wreaths of flowers and pay their respects to the deceased. The visiting leaders will also pay their respects to those killed in the tragedy.
The leaders are expected to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where more than 250,000 Rwandans were laid to rest after the genocide.
President Kagame is also expected to hold bilateral talks with the visiting leaders on the sidelines of the commemoration.