During the visit, Minister Prévot laid flowers at the mass graves and expressed Belgium’s respect and condolences to the families of the victims as well as to the survivors.

He toured various sections of the memorial, receiving detailed explanations about the causes, reality, and consequences of the genocide, as well as Rwanda’s path towards reconciliation and reconstruction over the past 31 years.

Minister Prévot also left a message in the memorial’s guestbook, reaffirming Belgium’s commitment to remembrance, justice, and support for the Rwandan people.

"On behalf of the Belgian government and people, I bow once again before the memory of the victims of the genocide against the Tutsi in 1994. Visiting this memorial is a chilling reminder of these events that deeply wounded our humanity. It is our collective duty to ensure that such atrocities never happen again, neither in this region nor anywhere else in the world.

Belgium will continue this commitment with determination. Fighting denialism is part of it, as is pursuing those responsible in Belgium, for whom no impunity is acceptable. I salute the resilience of the Rwandan people, who have overcome this tragedy to build a present and a future founded on reconciliation, dignity, and development."

The visit coincided with his participation in the 46th meeting of Francophone foreign ministers. It comes at a time of strained relations between Rwanda and Belgium, following Belgium’s accusations that Rwanda supports the M23 armed group in the Democratic Republic of Congo, allegations Rwanda denies.