Belgian Peacekeepers Memorial — Attraction in Kigali City

This is a MUST see in Kigali, Rwanda.

I found the visit to Belgium Camp Kigali memorial site where the ten Belgium peacekeepers were murdered at the start of the 100-day Rwandan genocide very heart-rending because the barracks are preserved in the exact condition it was in on the day of the massacre. It is almost as if time has stood still for the past 24 years from that fateful day on the 7 April 1994. Poignant also maybe for me because I was a soldier once and could read into the concealed signs of the conflict and feel the anguish of the ten young cornered Belgium peace keepers before their slaughter.

Directions Travel south from the KN2 round-a-bout on KN3 Avenue pass the Gorilla statue, the Mariotte and Serena Hotels until the road makes a 90-degree right turn. There is a small sign on wall of the Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village pointing left, proceed for 50 metres and turn right into Belgium...

This Memorial is a testament to post genocide Rwanda and the forceful introspection the Country is taking. It is also a Memorial and caution to the costs of inaction of the international community in the face of genocide. The brave international peace keepers who lost their lives here must be remembered; victims of inaction by the international community and a tragic example of the dual edge of following orders and complying with the directives of international bureaucrats that sometimes leads to success but in this case ensured death. Standing in the space where these soldiers lost their lives is powerful and is required to honor their sacrifice if you...

The Belgian Peacekeepers Memorial in Kigali stands as a solemn tribute to the courage and sacrifice of those who served in the pursuit of peace. The memorial's design evokes a sense of reverence, with its thoughtful arrangement of elements and serene surroundings. The names engraved on the memorial serve as a poignant reminder of the lives lost and the unwavering commitment to maintaining peace. Visiting this memorial is a deeply moving experience that honors the memory of Belgian peacekeepers and their vital contributions to...