Rwanda | Rusizi: Thousands of bodies, victims of 1994Genocide laid to rest

The Governor of Western Province Celestin Kabahizi has thanked Rusizi district for its participation in the activities of laying 7000 bodies, victims of 1994 genocide against Tutsi.

The was said during the event to respectfully burry 7000 bodies of genocide survivors at new Mabirizi genocide memorial centre in Gashonga sector in Rusizi district. 500 bodies have been buried into the new mass grave.

The 7000 bodies were found in Gashonga, Gitambi, Nyakabuye, Nyakarenzo, and Nkungu sectors. The occasion was opened by a religious mass led by Bishop Mgr J.Damascene Bimenyimana.

Religious ceremony was followed by laying bodies to rest, putting flowers on the grave and talks on encouraging the survivors and fighting genocide ideologies.

Mme Mediatrice Bana, a genocide survivor who testified during the occasion said that genocide survivors need nearby advisors to help them because trauma stands in their way to development.

During the event, Governor Kabahizi thanked and encouraged Rusizi residents to take part in such activities especially on Nyarushishi memorial centre that is being built.

Among the 7000 bodies are of people that were killed at Mibirizi Parish where they had gone to hide hoping nobody would kill in the house of God.

For the history purposes, it was resolved that a book be written about the history of Mibirizi genocide and whoever has information and photos of the victims present them.