It was a visit laden with political and perhaps even personal significance, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau laid a wreath at the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Rwanda on Thursday.
The site contains the remains of more than 250,000 Rwandan Tutsis who were killed by Hutu extremists in the spring and summer of 1994.
Former Canadian General, then Liberal Senator Romeo Dallaire, who was one of Trudeau’s first defenders, led the peacekeeping mission that failed to prevent genocide.
More than 800,000 Tutsis lost their lives across the country in the organized campaign that lasted more than 100 days.
The Prime Minister paid his respects when Commonwealth leaders met in Kigali to discuss, among other things, human rights and rising food insecurity on the African continent.
On Thursday, Trudeau announced that Canada would provide an additional $ 250 million to the United Nations World Food Program, in addition to the $ 500 million that had already been earmarked. It is likely to be welcome news among African Commonwealth leaders, especially in view of a recent report by the International Monetary Fund this spring that warned that rising fuel and food prices will lead to instability in Africa.
The Rwandan genocide memorial contains not only the remains of the victims, but also photographs and personal items.
Trudeau was received by the center’s executive director and had the opportunity to speak with a genocide survivor.
“What happened here in Rwanda 28 years ago not only resonates every day for Rwandans, but also resonates around the world, as something we all need to be aware of,” Trudeau told reporters. “We all have to be there, to make sure the road is never walked again, anywhere else in the world.”
Trudeau, who is shown alongside Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, answers questions during a press conference in Kigali, Rwanda, on Thursday. (Paul Chiasson / The Canadian Press)
Many of the names of the victims have not yet been collected and documented, and many of the victims resting in the graves are unknown.
Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, visited the site on Wednesday.
After also laying a wreath, Charles, the first member of the royal family to visit the country, met with Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who played an important role in the military victory that ended to genocide.
Trudeau was due to meet separately with Kagame on Thursday, but the bilateral was later postponed to the Commonwealth meeting.
Canada expanding the diplomatic mission to Kigali
Human rights groups have long criticized Rwanda’s choice to host the Commonwealth meeting, citing Kagame’s restrictions on press freedom, the arrests of high-profile critics and allegations that they authorities have not conducted credible investigations into cases of enforced disappearances and suspected deaths of people. opponents of the government.
Rwanda, a former German and then Belgian colony, was admitted to the Commonwealth in 2009 by objections from the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative and Human Rights Watch, which recently noted that the Kagame government arbitrarily detains homeless people and other vulnerable populations. in Kigali before major international conferences, such as the Commonwealth Leaders Meeting.
The organization interviewed 17 people who claimed to have been detained without charge last year as part of the effort to clean the streets of the capital.
Trudeau said the human rights conversation always appears in his conversations with world leaders.
“As always, I will continue to be frank and direct about how we need to make sure we continue to support the rights of everyone,” he said, noting that there are other Commonwealth countries that have a poor track record in protecting LGBTQ rights.
“The Commonwealth is a place where there are people and leaders who don’t go as far as we would like in terms of human rights,” Trudeau said. “The number of our Caribbean friends, for example, who are still criminalizing LGBTQ rights and are not making enough progress. Rwanda is taking better steps in this than many of the other partners.”
Trudeau is received on Wednesday by Francis Gatare, Rwanda’s presidential adviser on economic affairs, on arrival in Kigali to attend the Commonwealth summit. (Paul Chiasson / The Canadian Press)
Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly announced on Wednesday that Canada will upgrade its diplomatic mission in Kigali to a full embassy and high commissioner. An ambassador to the African Union will also be appointed.
“What is happening here in Rwanda is the future of Africa, and we know that Rwanda is playing a leadership role and that Rwanda is moving forward,” said Joly, a member of the Commonwealth.
“And that’s why it’s strategic to be here. We believe that more than ever we need to hear Canada’s voice. And to do that, we need to have more tools, we need to have more resources, we need more boots on the ground.”