Govt declares April 7 public holiday

The Government of Rwanda has officially declared Monday, April 7, a public holiday in remembrance of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi.

Observed annually, the Genocide Memorial Day marks the start of one of the darkest chapters in Rwanda’s history, when over one million Tutsi were brutally murdered in just over 100 days by Hutu extremists. The massacre also claimed the lives of moderate Hutus and others who opposed the killings.

As part of the solemn national observance, schools, businesses, and government offices will remain closed across the country. The day is dedicated to reflection, remembrance, and honoring the victims of the genocide, as well as reaffirming the country’s commitment to peace and unity.