On 18 October, His Excellency Bassirou Diomaye Faye, President of the Republic of Senegal, visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial to pay respects to the more than one million victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

Accompanied by his delegation, President Faye toured the memorial exhibits to learn more about the history of the Genocide, its causes, reality, and devastating consequences as well as Rwanda’s remarkable journey of recovery, reconciliation, and rebuilding over the past 31 years. The visit served as both a solemn moment of remembrance and an affirmation of shared commitment to peace and human dignity.

At the conclusion of his visit, President Faye inscribed a message in the Memorial’s guestbook expressing compassion and reflecting on the power of resilience and memory. Translated from the original French:

“As a demonstration of my compassion and active solidarity with the brotherly Rwandan people who experienced one of the worst human tragedies.

Here, silence speaks louder than words. It reminds us of the horror of the Genocide against the Tutsi, but also of the resilience and greatness of a people who have been able to transform pain into hope and to use memory to build lasting peace.

Long live the brotherly Rwandan–Senegalese friendship.”

— H.E. Bassirou Diomaye Faye, President of the Republic of Senegal

President Faye’s visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial stands as a poignant reminder of the importance of remembrance, solidarity, and collective responsibility in preventing future atrocities.