EAC to establish centre to prevent genocide
The Secretary General of the EAC, Veronica Nduva, and the District Commissioner of Arusha, Joseph Mkude, light a candle during the commemoration of the 31st anniversary of the Rwanda genocide, which led to the loss of over one million lives in the country. The commemoration took place at the EAC headquarters in Arusha on April 7, 2025. PHOTO | BERTHA ISMAIL
What you need to know:
- The proposed centre will monitor regional trends in peace, security and stability, and issue timely alerts when signs of violence, hate speech or any form of discrimination with the potential to escalate into genocide are detected.
Arusha. The East African Community (EAC) has launched the process of establishing a Centre for Early Warning in a bid to safeguard peace and stability across member states and to prevent genocide and mass atrocities.
The proposed centre will monitor regional trends in peace, security and stability, and issue timely alerts when signs of violence, hate speech or any form of discrimination with the potential to escalate into genocide are detected.
The development was announced in Arusha by EAC Secretary General Veronica Nduva during a commemoration event marking the 31st anniversary of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide.
The Rwandan Genocide remains one of the gravest atrocities of the 20th century. Within just 100 days—between April and July 1994—over one million people, mainly Tutsis and moderate Hutus, were brutally murdered by extremist militias.
The genocide was driven by entrenched ethnic divisions, the legacy of which Rwanda continues to address through reconciliation, justice and unity.
Ms Nduva said the establishment of the early warning centre demonstrates the EAC’s commitment to proactive measures in genocide prevention.
“This is part of a broader EAC policy framework on genocide prevention,” she said. “Our goal is to ensure we never again witness such horrific events. We are prioritising strong preventive strategies and policies to make this centre a reality.”
The Secretary General of the EAC, Veronica Nduva, lays a wreath at the special memorial tower for the genocide as part of the commemoration of the 31st anniversary of the Rwanda genocide, which led to the loss of over one million lives in the country. The commemoration took place at the EAC headquarters in Arusha on April 7, 2025. PHOTO | BERTHA ISMAIL
She also issued a warning to EAC member states against actions that incite hatred or fuel tribal and ethnic divisions, noting that such rhetoric could lead to violence or mass killings.
She further called on media outlets within the region to exercise caution and responsibility in their reporting, stressing the importance of promoting peace, stability and social cohesion.
“All EAC nations must remain vigilant against any incitement that divides communities—whether along ethnic, political or religious lines,” she said. “We saw how media was misused during the genocide to incite violence. That must never happen again. Media should instead become champions of peace and stability.”
Ms Nduva also noted that the EAC has established a genocide memorial pillar and commemorates 7 April each year as a day of remembrance and reflection, encouraging all member states to draw lessons from the past.
Representing the Arusha Regional Commissioner, District Commissioner Joseph Mkude underscored the critical role of peace and stability in supporting socio-economic development and regional trade.
Meanwhile, Tanzania’s youth representative to the EAC, Rosemerry Haule, called for greater youth inclusion in national and regional development processes.
“For example, Tanzania is heading into general elections this year,” she said. “It is crucial that youth are meaningfully engaged in all stages of the process. Their participation ensures ownership and can reduce tensions and conflict.”
Ms Haule urged young people across the region to be torchbearers of peace and stability, stressing their responsibility in shaping a secure and prosperous future.
