RWANDA GENOCIDE: COAS Shaibu Emphasises Unity, Peaceful Coexistence During Kigali Memorial Visit
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reiterated the importance of national unity, tolerance and conflict prevention during a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Rwanda on Monday, 19 October 2026.
The visit, undertaken as part of his official working trip to Rwanda, provided an opportunity to reflect on the lessons of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and the grave consequences of ethnic hostility, religious intolerance and violent extremism.
The Kigali Genocide Memorial preserves the memory of the victims and houses the remains of approximately 250,000 people killed during the genocide. It serves as a powerful reminder of how unchecked hatred, political exploitation of divisions and the breakdown of national cohesion can lead to devastating human tragedies.
For Nigeria, the experience reinforces the urgent need to promote national integration, encourage peaceful coexistence and discourage divisive narratives capable of threatening the country’s stability. It also highlights the responsibility of leaders and citizens to reject hate speech, embrace patriotism and foster mutual respect across ethnic, religious and political lines.
The COAS’s visit further underscored the role of responsible leadership, proactive conflict prevention and effective civil-military cooperation in strengthening national security.
The lessons from Rwanda reaffirm that unity, tolerance and collective commitment to peace are essential for sustainable development and long-term stability.
