Rwanda Roundup: Genocide, Ethiopia-Rwanda military cooperation, surge in tourism

Ethiopia-Rwanda military cooperation

Ethiopian military chief Field Marshal Birhanu Jula is visiting Rwanda for four days starting April 13 to enhance military cooperation between the two nations. During his visit, he discussed collaboration with Rwanda Defence Force Chief Gen. Mubarakh Muganga and met with Defence Minister Juvenal Marizamunda. The visit aims to deepen bilateral ties and explore new defense collaboration areas, following the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on defense cooperation during Gen. Muganga's visit to Ethiopia in mid-March. Birhanu is also scheduled to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial to honour the victims of the 1994 genocide.

Genocide

Rwanda is accelerating the consolidation of Genocide memorial sites in line with a 2019 Presidential Order aimed at enhancing preservation, visitor experience, and resource allocation. The initiative focuses on merging sites that are vulnerable to natural hazards, have fewer than 1,000 bodies, or are poorly maintained. For instance, the Southern Province is reducing its memorial sites from 69 to 53. Nationwide, the goal is to decrease the number of district-managed memorials from 214 to 152. Consultations with families of victims are a prerequisite for relocation. The government emphasises the need to maintain historical symbols in areas of consolidation. Additionally, ongoing efforts include digitizing memorial sites to provide virtual tours.

Surge in tourism

Rwanda's tourism generated $647 million in 2024, a 4.3% increase from 2023, driven largely by gorilla tourism, which brought in $200 million. The total number of visitors exceeded 1.3 million, with significant growth in gorilla and educational tourism. The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) plans to exceed $700 million in tourism revenue in 2025, aiming to enhance Rwanda's global profile through major events, including the Kwita Izina celebration and the UCI Road World Championships. National parks saw a 10.7% increase in visitors, contributing to an $38.8 million revenue rise.

Exports to UAE

Rwanda's exports to the UAE soared by 63.9%, rising from over $951 million in 2023 to more than $1.55 billion in 2024, making the UAE Rwanda's largest export market, accounting for 63.9% of total exports. Overall, Rwanda's goods exports rose nearly 30% to over $3.2 billion. The DR Congo followed the UAE with $229.5 million in exports, while exports to Luxembourg surged by 243.8% to $55.4 million. Key factors for this growth included increased cargo capacity from RwandAir, enhanced business support by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), and ongoing development of special economic zones. Rwanda's total export receipts reached $4.2 billion in 2024, reflecting a 22% increase from the previous year.

1994 Genocide against the Tutsi

Joseph Sagahutu, a Catholic priest suspected of involvement in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, is reportedly living freely in Belgium while allegedly promoting hate ideology. Rwandan Minister Jean Damascène Bizimana highlighted Sagahutu's role in the genocide during a commemoration event for Tutsi victims at Kibeho Catholic Parish, where many were killed. Sagahutu, along with local mayor Juvenal Muhitira, is accused of supervising the massacres at Muganza Parish. The minister condemned clergy members who facilitated the killings, stating that they continue to serve while bearing "innocent blood." Bizimana also named other priests involved in the genocide, emphasising the betrayal of their religious values by participating in such violence.