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KIGALI MEMORIAL CAMP

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KN 3 Ave, Kiyovu, Kigali, Rwanda
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2024
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2024

It was there that ten Belgian paratroopers of the UN Mission in Rwanda were massacred on April 7, 1994. Shortly after the attack on President Habyarimana's plane, they had been sent to the Prime Minister-designate of the transitional government, Agathe Uwilingyimana, who lived in a nearby street. The ten paratroopers were immediately disarmed by government soldiers and taken to the camp, where they were massacred with rifles, machetes and grenades by a furious soldiery. Their superiors had led them to believe that Belgium had engineered the attack on the president... Agathe Uwilingyimana was also massacred, as were her children. Today, all that remains of the Kigali camp is this building, pierced by impacts, and erected as a memorial. A didactic exhibition on the genocide, created by a Belgian team, is permanently visible. In front of the building, ten steles have been erected in memory of the ten paratroopers killed, with an eleventh stele inside, in memory of all the victims. In addition, a plaque recalls the names of Belgian civilians (teachers, wives of Tutsis, etc.) who were killed at the same time. After the Gisozi genocide memorial, this small memorial (worth a visit) is a tribute to the ten Belgian peacekeepers, but also to the countless Rwandan victims. A place full of emotions and very instructive. Allow about 30 minutes on site. Admission is free, but donations and tips to the tour guide are welcome.

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Le Mémorial Belge est accessible à la fin de la KN 3Avenue, juste après avoir dépassé le Serena Hôtel. Pour y accéder, emprunter la double grille blanche qui mène à l'université nationale du Rwanda et se diriger vers la gauche (localisation GPS : 1° 57' 28,73"" S - 30° 3' 47,67" E). Le site se partage entre le bâtiment dans lequel les para commandos belges ont été assassinés et le mémorial extérieur qui a été dressé à leur mémoire. Ce mémorial est composé de 10 pierres provenant de Belgique. Elles n'ont pas été polies car elles représentent les facettes de la vie. Elles sont plus grandes qu'un homme afin que les 10 martyrs soient à jamais sublimés. Elles sont disposées en cercle, signe de la cohésion des 10 paras commandos. Elles sont identiques parce que la mort ne différencie pas les rangs et les grades. Elles sont crantées de marques correspondant à l'âge de chacun des martyrs. Elles sont brisées à leur sommet afin d'évoquer la rupture brutale de leur vie. Les initiales de chaque homme ont été gravées au pied de chaque stèle afin que celles-ci soient identifiables par les familles. Sur place, un gardien très accueillant qui entretient le site et vous donnera quelques explications supplémentaires.

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