Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, April 08, 2004
AU apologizes for not helping Rwanda during genocide
African Union (AU) Commission Chairman Alpha Omar Konale apologized Wednesday to the Rwandan government for not helping the country stop the genocide, during the 10th commemoration of the 1994 genocide.
African Union (AU) Commission Chairman Alpha Omar Konale apologized Wednesday to the Rwandan government for not helping the country stop the genocide, during the 10th commemoration of the 1994 genocide.
"We should agree that we did not help where our fellow Africanswanted our support and it's high time that we live in harmony," Konale said.
He added that they are looking forward to having a united Africa and making genocide a "never again."
He said that the Kigali memorial site should be respected worldwide and it should be only followed by reconciliation.
"Injustice of powerful nations should be stopped. Rwanda shouldbe a good example to learn a lesson," he added.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni who attended recommended the Rwandan government for the progress made since 1994.
President Museveni called on the United Nations (UN) to "wake up" and look for whoever had a hand in Rwanda's genocide and come to justice.
South African President Thabo Mbeki also noted that genocide should be taken as a prime crime at the international level.