Rwandan minister warns of inherited genocide ideology among youth

Kigali, Rwanda, March 29, 2026 - Rwanda’s Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Jean Damascène Bizimana, has raised concerns over the persistence of genocide ideology among some youth, attributing it in part to narratives passed down by parents. Speaking at a public event in Kigali, the minister said some young people expressing hostility toward the country and its leadership are influenced by misinformation within their families, particularly from individuals linked to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. He warned that false accounts and denial narratives are being transmitted across generations, sometimes amplified through social media, undermining national unity and reconciliation efforts. Bizimana emphasized that individuals who have served sentences for genocide-related crimes have a responsibility to tell the truth to their children and contribute positively to rebuilding society. Recent studies cited by officials indicate that a portion of the population believes some former convicts continue to hold divisive views, while social media platforms abroad are also seen as contributing to the spread of harmful narratives. Authorities say continued civic education and awareness efforts remain essential to strengthening unity and preventing the transmission of extremist ideologies.