Rwanda genocide: Kenya apologises for EAC failure

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta offered an apology for the East African region’s failure to intervene in Rwanda during the genocide in 1994. He made this known on Tuesday in Kigali, during the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of mass killings in the country. Kenyatta, who is also the Chairman, East African Community, said the ‘pain and death’ that characterised the genocide was a reminder of the failure by the world to prevent mass death. Addressing the World leaders that gathered in Rwanda to lay commemorative wreaths, he expressed the hope that, “Leaders gathered here need to ensure there is no return to such wanton killings.” Kenyatta said to prevent a return to similar mass killings such as those which occurred in Rwanda, Kenyan and Rwandan peacekeepers had regularly deployed to quell potential mass killings. He said the ambassadors from both nations were active diplomatically to prevent atrocities. Kenyatta reiterated that: “We have learned that no one from far away can be relied on to come to our aid. We must build an independent capability and will to protect the lives of our children and their futures.” He said to avoid a return to such security vacuums in future, the Great Lakes region was working towards its stabilisation force. Kenyatta said stabilisation force was part of an AU plan to ensure rapid response to regional crises such as those of genocide. “This is why as the chairman of the EAC I believe that we must ensure that our region is as strong on security and mutual aid,” President Kenyatta said.