The U.S. Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry, on Friday said his government was joining Rwandans in paying tribute to 800,000 people murdered in the country’s genocide in 1994.
Kerry, however, said in statement that the U.S. government was committed to working with the people and government of Rwanda in preventing a recurrence of genocide in the country.
“We stand with the people of Rwanda in paying tribute to the more than 800,000 men, women, and children who were savagely murdered in the Rwandan genocide 22 years ago.
“We grieve for those innocent lives lost for the families and friends who will forever cherish them.
“We also grieve for the survivors who suffer as both victims and witnesses to one of the most unspeakable acts of evil of our lifetime,’’ it said.
The statement restated the U.S. government’s commitment to preventing the horror of mass atrocities and genocide from occurring again.
“We are set to work with the people of Rwanda and the international community to finish the task of bringing those responsible for the heinous acts to justice,’’ it said.