Musical theater and choir, stories, video documentaries, religious services and prayers from different religious denominations based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, were some of the activities that took place during the 20th anniversary of the Rwanda Genocide commemorated on April 11, 2014, at the headquarters of the African Union (AU).

The ceremony also included statements from Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the AU Commission, Dr. Tewodros Adhano, Foreign Affairs Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and Joseph Nsengimana, Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda.

It was recalled that between 500,000 to 1 million lost their lives during the 100-day period of the genocide. The 20th anniversary was observed under the theme: KWIBUKA20 "Remember, Unite, and Renew."

"We must renew our determination, and make the choice: that Africa shall be peaceful; that we will integrate; that we shall be prosperous and that we will never again tolerate genocide on African soil," said Chairperson Dlamini Zuma, while emphasizing the need for Africa to silence the guns by 2020. (See complete speech of the AUC Chairperson on the AU website: www.au.int )

Minister Adhano referred to the genocide as an unprecedented tragedy on the continent "never to repeat itself again," while Ambassador Bulud Psul Lolo of Nigeria said Africa has pledged never again to stand and witness the tragedy that took place some 20 years ago. Ambassador Nsengimana expressed his appreciation for the contribution of the African and international community in the reconstruction journey of his country. He shared his wish for an Africa free of conflict and genocide, "respectful of the fundamental human rights."

A commemorative torch in remembrance of the victims of the genocide was lit in the presence of the international community, AU Commissioners and AU staff, representatives of the civil society organizations, diplomatic corps and the Rwandan community in Addis Ababa among other invited guests.

The 1994 genocide saw Hutu ethnic group extremists go on a killing spree of the Tutsi ethnic group and moderate Hutu, which wiped out almost a seventh of the country's population at the time. The Rwandan Patriotic Front ended the genocide with a military victory.