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Rwanda Genocide: 24 years later MSF field workers recall horrors, aftermath

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24-years ago on April 7, 1994, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) teams in Kigali witnessed the city descend into violence. These were the first days of what would go on to become known as the Rwandan genocide, during which more than a million people lost their lives, including MSF staff.

The crisis that engulfed the country also spilled across the border, forcing refugees into neighboring DRC, Uganda and Burundi. Among those who lived through the tragedy were young people who would decades later become fieldworkers for MSF.

Claudia Kanyemera, Dominique Mukunzi and Innocent Maniraruta first encountered MSF as an organization providing medical care and assistance to people fleeing the violence in Rwanda. Today, they share the experiences that inspired and motivated them to join MSF:

‘As a genocide survivor, I know people need support’ Claudia Kanyemera – MSF Finance Manager

“I decided to join MSF long ago because I admired the mission of MSF, the neutrality, how MSF helps people who are in a critical situation, people who are victims of war. As a genocide survivor, a victim of political crisis, I know how much people need support when they are in these conditions.

At that time of the Rwandan genocide, in 1994, I was in secondary school. We lived in the south province of Rwanda when everything started, and I was forced to leave my home with my family. We were internally displaced to another part of the country. I lost some family members during that time. It was really difficult. We fled and went to a place we thought was secure, but everywhere in Rwanda, there was no place that was fully secure.

A few months after the fighting began, I found some work with a non-profit organization, helping to translate between French and Rwandese. That was where I first saw MSF – they had set up a hospital that shared the same compound with this non-profit.

Some days, I would help out with translations at the hospital when they needed me. That’s when I saw how MSF treated patients without discrimination and without any bias. They really cared for the people. That’s when I decided I would go to university and one-day also join MSF.

After the fighting stopped, and things finally returned to normal, I applied to go to university.

I dreamed of studying medicine, so I could join a humanitarian organization as a doctor. But after the genocide it was not easy to get scholarships and studying medicine was very expensive.

The scholarship I was able to get was to study finance, so I changed my mind about doing medicine. In the end, I couldn’t get my exact dream of becoming a doctor. But I built a career in finance, working as an auditor and then a finance manager at a bank, heading departments and doing a masters in economics.

But I still wanted to do more for people, so I decided to join MSF as a finance manager in the field. Today, even though I’m not a doctor, I can still help in some way, and work to achieve my dream of changing people’s realities.

‘MSF came to the middle of nowhere and made a hospital’ Dominique Mukunzi – MSF Pharmacist

“In 1994 I was 11 years old when we fled. The genocide just took place in my home country Rwanda, and we had to escape. We walked for days, all the way across the border, into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), until we reached the refugee camp in Bukavu. That’s where I first met MSF – in the refugee camps, helping people.

We stayed there for over a year. Then in 1996, war started in Bukavu, and we had to leave again. Once more we walked for days, all the way to Kisangani, hundreds of kilometers away. Sometimes there were no villages along the way, so we just slept in plastic sheeting on the side of the road.

There is something which stays in my mind from that journey. I remember being on the road to Kisangani, and there was a camp along the way. One day a small plane landed close to where we were, and it was MSF. MSF came to the middle of nowhere and made a small hospital which was helping refugees on the road.

Before fleeing Rwanda, my father worked in a bank and my mother worked at Kigali hospital as a social worker. But with the violence, we had to leave (including my sister and two brothers). All in all, we spent three years on the road and in camps in the DRC. My mother got a job with MSF in the refugee camp, working in the nutrition centre. In 1997 it was finally safe enough to move home. We had to start everything over in Rwanda: home, work, and school for us kids.

After school I went to university to become a pharmacist. The experience of my mother influenced me to want to work in a similar field. Although there are other organisations doing humanitarian work, MSF inspires me. I remember the help MSF gave me when I was in need. I always keep that in mind, to remember to help what once helped me.”

‘Nothing could be as bad as what happened in Rwanda’ Innocent Maniraruta – MSF Finance Manager

“Since many years ago, I have always wanted to work with humanitarians so that I can help people who are in desperate need.

In fact, in the beginning I always wanted to work with children so that I can give back and share what I have. MSF does a great job in helping people in need. It’s something you can’t imagine until you go to the field and see how people suffer, and then you see how MSF helps those people solve their problems, especially by offering medical assistance.

I remember the genocide which took place in Rwanda in 1994.

We Rwandans saw how MSF came to assist the people who were in need, while at the same time we saw how a lot of the rest of the world didn’t come to assist or to offer help. For the most part, Rwandans had to find the solution to the crisis themselves.

I remember how I really wanted people from those countries to come and help us. But for a long time, no one came; people ignored what was happening, and Rwandans suffered.

But then I realized that MSF had come to assist in Rwanda. In fact, MSF did a great job, they did good work and saved lives. I remember thinking that other organizations and other countries should take MSF’s example to come and help immediately and not wait until problems become a big issue.

It was also a lesson to me. It made me feel that I should also work to help people who are in need, to transfer my skills in some way with the aim of assisting and protecting people.

That’s why I am committed to helping in places where MSF works. I am ready to contribute, even if it can be difficult. Because I know that nothing could be as bad as what happened during the genocide in Rwanda.”

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Oyo: Oseni Celebrates Dotun Sanusi, Lauds Contributions to Society

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Oyo South and Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has congratulated Ibadan-born businessman and philanthropist, Chief Jubril Dotun Sanusi, on his 58th birthday, commending his contributions to enterprise, youth development and community advancement.

In a birthday message issued on Friday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, Oseni described the occasion as an opportunity to reflect on Sanusi’s entrepreneurial journey and commitment to using personal achievements to advance the common good. He wished the celebrant good health, renewed strength and greater accomplishments in the years ahead.

Oseni noted that Sanusi’s transition from petroleum engineering to business and investments across various sectors demonstrated the value of vision, perseverance and strategic thinking. He said the businessman’s career reflected how identifying opportunities beyond conventional professional boundaries could drive business success, stimulate economic growth and create opportunities for others.

The APC chieftain particularly commended Sanusi’s investments in hospitality, agriculture, education and sports, including Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort, Ilaji Farms and the International College of Arts, Science and Technology (ICAST). He noted that such investments could stimulate economic activities, generate employment and support community development, particularly by providing young people with opportunities to acquire skills and pursue productive ventures.

According to Oseni, the significance of entrepreneurial success extends beyond the businesses established and wealth accumulated to the opportunities created and lives positively impacted. He said Sanusi’s investments and initiatives demonstrated the importance of private enterprise in supporting economic development and improving livelihoods.

“Chief Dotun Sanusi’s birthday provides an opportunity to celebrate the value of enterprise and the importance of investing in people. Businesses become more meaningful when they create jobs, support education and open doors for others to fulfil their potential. These are important contributions to society, and I wish him continued success in his endeavours,” he said.

The lawmaker also acknowledged Sanusi’s philanthropic engagements and commitment to youth development, stressing that sustainable progress required deliberate investment in education, skills acquisition and initiatives that promoted self-reliance.

He added that government alone could not meet every developmental need, making responsible private-sector participation and community-focused interventions essential to improving livelihoods.

Oseni further recognised Sanusi’s involvement in Ibadan’s traditional institution and his connection to Yoruba cultural heritage. He stressed the importance of preserving indigenous traditions and values, noting that cultural influence was more meaningful when accompanied by service, peaceful coexistence and a commitment to the welfare of the people. He also urged young Nigerians to draw inspiration from Sanusi’s journey by embracing hard work, discipline, continuous learning and patience in pursuing their ambitions.

The lawmaker prayed for God’s continued protection over Sanusi and his family, wishing him many more years of good health, wisdom and fulfilment. He expressed the hope that the businessman would continue to expand his investments, support initiatives that improve lives and contribute to the economic and social development of Ibadan, Oyo State and Nigeria.

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‘Senators Are Not Governors, Council Chairmen’ – Oseni Explains Legislative Responsibilities

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has called on Nigerians to elect competent and accountable lawmakers, urging voters to understand the constitutional responsibilities of senators ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Oseni warned that misconceptions about the role of senators could undermine effective political representation, particularly when lawmakers are judged primarily by their ability to provide infrastructure, tackle poverty or distribute money to constituents rather than their performance in lawmaking, oversight and representation.

He spoke on Thursday at a political conference organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ido Local Government Chapter, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The conference, themed “The Importance of Senatorial Governance and Representation in a Federal Democratic System,” brought together Christian leaders, political stakeholders, professionals, traditional rulers, youths and women to discuss the role of the Senate in Nigeria’s democratic development.

Oseni, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, identified three major challenges confronting senatorial representation: the election of unsuitable candidates, the failure of some elected senators to discharge their responsibilities effectively, and widespread misconceptions about the office.

He said these challenges underscored the need for greater public awareness of the constitutional duties of senators.
The Chairman of the House Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) cautioned against holding senators solely responsible for youth unemployment, poverty, inadequate infrastructure and other development challenges without considering the respective responsibilities of the federal, state and local governments.

He also faulted the expectation that senators should routinely return from Abuja with large sums of money to distribute among their constituents.

“A senator is neither the Chief Executive of a senatorial district nor a replacement for the Governor or Local Government Chairman,” Oseni said.

He explained that the primary responsibilities of senators included making laws, conducting legislative oversight, representing their constituents’ interests and advocating policies, projects and programmes capable of improving their welfare.

According to him, effective representation goes beyond occupying a seat in the National Assembly, as senators are expected to serve as a link between their constituents and the Federal Government.

He added that their responsibilities included influencing national policies, advocating development projects, facilitating access to legitimate federal programmes and ensuring that the concerns of their constituencies received adequate attention in national decision-making.

“A senator is the people’s voice at the federal level,” he said, stressing that effective representation required ensuring that constituents’ concerns were heard and considered in decisions affecting the country.

Oseni described the Senate as a critical institution in Nigeria’s federal democratic system, given its responsibilities for lawmaking, accountability and national development. He noted that the choice of a senator had implications not only for the immediate interests of a constituency but also for the country’s broader political and developmental direction.

He said the CAN conference provided an opportunity to promote informed political participation, correct misconceptions about legislative responsibilities and encourage voters in Oyo South to make informed choices ahead of the 2027 elections.

The APC chieftain urged voters to assess senatorial candidates based on their understanding of the legislative process, commitment to constituency representation, ability to scrutinise government policies and willingness to hold public institutions accountable.

He maintained that a better understanding of the Senate’s constitutional responsibilities would enable voters to set realistic expectations, demand accountability and evaluate their elected representatives more effectively.

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‎Oyo South: Sheikh Olafimihan Hails Oseni for N10m Inyass House Donation

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The APC Senatorial Candidate for Oyo South, Hon. Aderemi Oseni

‎Fadilat Sheikh Abdul Rasheed Olafimihan, the Balogun Faiydah of Yoruba Land, has commended  the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, for donating N10m towards the development of Sheikh Ibrahim Inyass House in Modinat Elekuro, Ibadan.

‎Olafimihan, who organised a programme at the religious centre on Tuesday, said the donation was appreciated by the Inyass Unity Organisation, which is affiliated with Zumuratul Faiydah Tijaniyah Ibrahimiyyah of Nigeria.

Oseni, who represents the Ido/Ibarapa East Federal Constituency and chairs the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), attended the event, where he made the donation towards the development of the facility.

In a letter of appreciation dated October 13, 2026, the organisation thanked the lawmaker for his presence and financial support.

The letter partly read, “On behalf of the Inyass Unity Organization affiliated with Zumuratul Faiydah Tijaniyah Ibrahimiyyah of Nigeria, we sincerely appreciate your presence and generous donation at the event held at Sheikh Ibrahim Inyass House, Modinat Elekuro, Ibadan, on October 13, 2026.”

The organisation specifically acknowledged the N10m contribution, stating that the money was donated towards the development of the religious centre.

“We are deeply grateful for your donation of N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira Only) towards the development of Sheikh Ibrahim Inyass House,” the letter added.

‎Olafimihan also offered prayers for the lawmaker, asking Allah to reward him for his contribution and grant him success in his public service.

‎“May Almighty Allah (SWT) reward you abundantly and grant you success in your service to humanity,” the letter stated.

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