UN admits it failed Rwandans, applauds Government’s progress

Incumbent UN Secretary General Ban Ki- Moon

The United Nations Secretary- General Ban Ki- Moon has admitted that the United Nation did not do enough to stop the genocide against the Tutsi.

Touring the Kigali Genocide Memorial upon arrival in Rwanda, Ban said the UN regrets not having done enough to stop genocide. “We’ve learnt the lesson and such acts will never happen anywhere gain,” he said.

Ban Ki- Moon Predecessor Kofi Annan directed UN Peacekeeping Operations when the Rwanda genocide took place in 1994 and it is claimed that he held back UN troops from intervening the genocide

In 2003 Canadian ex-General Romeo Dallaire, who was force commander of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda claimed that Annan was overly passive in his response to the imminent genocide.

The UN Security Council withdrew most of its peacekeepers at the height of the genocide, retaining only a minimal 270. This act left thousands of Rwandans at the mercy of machete wielding Interahamwe.

Ban Ki Moon arrived in Rwanda today from the Democratic Republic of Congo where he held discussions with President Kabila on the current crisis in Eastern Congo. Fighting has escalated between government forces and M23 rebels who announced a ceasefire to pave way for the visiting officials and give peace talks a chance.

Ban is accompanied by the head of the World Bank, who also praised Rwanda for being “on the truck towards development”, and also advised other nations to learn from Rwanda.

The two officials also toured the National Police Headquarter in Kacyiru and laid foundation stone at the Centre for fight against Gender- based Violence.

The World Bank president also congratulated President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame for fighting against gender-based violence.

“I have never seen a great example as Isange One-stop Centre,” Kim said. Yong Kim has just announced a $1 billion support for the region to support.

Kim also advised other nations to learn from Rwanda efforts towards reconciliation and unity.  “We commend the Rwandan Government & people of Rwanda for reconciling and rebuilding. We hope post conflict countries will take a lesson,” he said.

The two officials are expected to hold talks with President Kagame, before crossing to neighbouring Uganda for discussions with President Museveni.

The visit to Rwanda comes at the helms of stalled peace talks in Kampala between DRC government and M23 rebels.

Rwanda currently holds a seat on the UN Security Council and is seen as an important play in stabilizing the volatile Great Lakes region.