Former Senegal national team coach Pape Thiaw has visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where he paid tribute to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and learned more about one of the darkest chapters in Rwanda’s history.
Thiaw, who is in Rwanda for the SportsBiz Africa Forum 2026, toured different sections of the memorial in Gisozi, Kigali, where he received detailed accounts of the history of the Genocide, its devastating consequences and Rwanda’s efforts to preserve memory and promote reconciliation.
During the visit, Thiaw paid his respects to the victims laid to rest at the memorial and reflected on the importance of remembering the past as a way of preventing similar atrocities in the future.
“It is important to come here, to remember and to understand what happened. We must learn from history and ensure that such tragedies never happen again,” Thiaw said.
The visit gave the former Senegal coach an opportunity to understand Rwanda beyond its sporting achievements, as the memorial provides visitors with historical accounts of the events that led to the Genocide against the Tutsi, the killings themselves and the country’s journey towards healing and reconciliation.
The Kigali Genocide Memorial is the final resting place for more than 250,000 victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi.
The site was selected after the Genocide as a mass burial ground for victims from Kigali and surrounding areas.
The memorial was inaugurated in 2004, on the 10th anniversary of the Genocide.
It combines burial grounds with exhibitions, memorial gardens, a Wall of Names and educational facilities designed to preserve the history of the Genocide and promote peace-building and genocide prevention.
Its exhibitions document the history and causes of the Genocide against the Tutsi while also placing Rwanda’s experience within the broader history of genocides around the world.
The site also preserves testimonies and other records that help document the lives and experiences of victims and survivors.
Thiaw’s visit comes as Rwanda continues to use remembrance and education as important pillars in its efforts to ensure that the history of the Genocide is passed on to younger generations.
His presence at the memorial also adds a significant dimension to his visit to Rwanda, where he has been engaging with leaders and young people on the role of sport, talent development and opportunities for Africa’s youth.
