The spokesperson of the Rwandan Army (RDF), Brig. Gen. Ronald Rwivanga, on behalf of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, joins the Embassy of Senegal in Rwanda in commemoration of Captain Mbaye Diagne, who was killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis, while he was one of the UN peacekeeping mission in Rwanda.
This ceremony took place on Friday 31st of August, at the memorial of the Genocide against Kigali’s Tutsis at Gisozi, which was attended by various Rwandan government officials, the United Nations Coordinator, and members of his family including the wife of the deceased Capt. Diagne, the representatives of their countries, and various others who were invited.
Captain Mbaye Diagne, was killed on May 31, 1994, when he was hiding Tutsis in the Hotel Mille Collines.
In addition to those who were killed from the rescue, Diagne saved many people by talking to the surgeons who were going to kill them if necessary and pay the price.
Rwanda continued to take into account the role of Captain Mbaye, when he was on a peace mission. In July 2010, during the Independence Day celebration, Rwanda awarded Captain Mbaye Diagne the Medal of Courage (GUARD), which was presented to his family by the President Paul Kagame.
In addition to the bravery medal he was given, there was another medal of appreciation given to him by the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki Moon. On March 22, 2024, a monument named after Capt. Mbaye Diagne was officially opened in Senegal.
His bravery is evident in what he did because he ignored the orders of his superiors, who forbade him to save the Tutsis who were being killed.
Gaston Rwaka
