The micro-politics of remembering “the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi” in Rwanda

State-funded genocide memorials in Rwanda, designed to commemorate victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, may inadvertently perpetuate political tension and spiritual violence. Research reveals that the politicization of anonymous human remains—central to the government's efforts to establish irrefutable evidence of the genocide—has transformed these sites into sources of conflict rather than healing. Qualitative studies conducted since 2007 among memorial staff, survivors, bystanders, and other affected individuals in Karongi district highlight how authoritarian governance prioritizes state interests over survivor needs, leading to negative mental and physical health consequences. This study underscores the complex interplay between commemoration, politics, and trauma in post-conflict contexts.

Jessee, E. (2022). The micro-politics of remembering “the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi” in Rwanda. Localising Memory in Transitional Justice, 83–106. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429330841-6