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Young Rwandan's message of hope on genocide reflection day

Young Rwandan's message of hope on genocide reflection day

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A young Rwandan poet is bringing her message of hope “straight from the artist, to the leaders,” at the UN on Friday.

At the same time, Malaika Uwamahoro says that it’s “up to the people” themselves in countries where a genocide could occur, to step away from the abyss.

The performance artist, currently studying in New York, was just four when the 1994 genocide in Rwanda began, which led to the systematic murder of more than 800,000 people – overwhelmingly Tutsi, along with moderate Hutu, Twa and others.

Ms Uwamahoro will be performing at the Annual Commemoration of the International Day of Reflection on the Genocide in Rwanda, taking place at UN Headquarters on 7 April; the day the genocide started.

Matthew Wells asked her first to recite some of the poetry she has written especially for the event.

Duration: 5’04”

Photo Credit
UN News/Matthew Wells