Rwandans are today remembering their loved ones that were lost during the 1994 genocide.
This year marks 25 years since Rwanda experienced the genocide that killed more than one million people and displaced millions more.
The killings were sparked by the murder of former president Juvénal Habyarimana on April 6 1994, whose plane was shot down overhead Kigali.
Killings began on April 7, fast spreading across the country.
The commemoration of the 25 anniversary of the genocide is led by President Paul Kagame, who has largely been credited with ending the war and leading Rwanda through reconciliation and reconstruction.
Tens of world leaders are in Kigali to stand with Rwandans as they remember their lost loved ones. Among those present include Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Republic of Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso, Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou, Djibouti President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh and Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel.
Rwandans and other nationalities on social media have been sending their messages of solidarity with the people affected by the genocide.
Here are some of the messages we got from Twitter;
#kwibuka25 No farewell words were spoken, No time to say Goodbye, you were gone before i know you but your images are flashing into my brain! You’re present though you gone physically too earlier, but God knows why🙏 #genocideagainsttutsi #NeverAgain #Rwanda #kwibuka25 pic.twitter.com/B59c4thzQM
— Katabogama J.B (@Katabosco) April 7, 2019
Wishing a reflective #Kwibuka25 to my Rwandan family. Thank you for your commitment to better governance, health care and greater unity for the people of Rwanda. I ponder with you over the happenings of April 1994, excited over the possibilities that lie ahead. Peace. 🇷🇼 ♥️
— Onyango Otieno 🎀🧠 (@Rixpoet) April 7, 2019
Remember-unite-renew #kwibuka25 pic.twitter.com/iyw5NneAJ0
— Ndayishimiye Claude (@Ndayish44806464) April 7, 2019
It’s always with a very heavy heart & immense pain that we remember our families (The victims of the genocide against the Tutsis). It’s really difficult to understand what happened but we have to find within our hearts the strength to go on & build our beautiful Rwanda #kwibuka25 pic.twitter.com/oBdikHnkDR
— kamanzi christella (@chriskamanzi) April 7, 2019
As we #remember, let’s not break our hearts but gain the strength to never turn back. Let’s have a courage to keep going not because our past was perfect but because we have hope of a bright future. Let’s keep our eyes open, work and thrive together #RwoT #Kwibuka25 pic.twitter.com/joymrjPixf
— Alex Rukundo Mercy (@AlexRuku) April 7, 2019
