Today, on behalf of the Rwanda’s Army Chief, Brigadier General Ronald Rwivanga, the Defense and Military Spokesperson, joined the Embassy of Senegal in Kigali to commemorate late Capt Mbaye Diagne who died in the line of duty as a peacekeeper dedicated to saving lives during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
At the Kigali Genocide Memorial on Wednesday 31 May 2024, officials from both Rwanda and Senegal, members of the diplomatic corps in Rwanda, representatives from the Senegalese diaspora in Rwanda and friends of Senegal came together to mark the third ‘Mbaye Diagne Day’ – an annual day of remembrance for the heroism of Captain Mbaye Diagne, who was killed on 31 May 1994 while saving lives during the Genocide against the Tutsi.
A Senegalese officer serving as a UN peacekeeper, Mbaye Diagne displayed remarkable courage and selflessness, undertaking many missions on his own initiative to rescue people at risk of mass murder. Hundreds owe their lives to him. Some believe he may ultimately have rescued more than a thousand people.
Mbaye exhibited exceptional courage where he would go meet the Genocide perpetrators that were ready for mass murder at a given place and would plead them not to kill the Tutsi. Some news suggest that in some instances he could even give the killers money so they can spare the Tutsi.
He is also said to have been able to save the children of late Prime Minister Agathe Uwiringiyimana who was killed during the Genocide by the Interahamwe following her stand against the then ruling party’s divisive politic.
Mbaye Diagne (18 March 1958 – 31 May 1994) was a Senegalese military officer who served in Rwanda as a United Nations military observer from 1993 to 1994. (End)