Rwanda has begun preparations to commemorate the genocide that killed nearly 800,000 people 25 years ago in the east African country.
Many international delegations arrived in the capital Kigali on Saturday to attend the 25th anniversary ceremony on Sunday.
On April 7, 1994, the genocide of Hutu ethnic majority supporters began with the killing of members of the minority Tutsi and moderate Hutu minority in the former Belgian colony.
But Paul Kagame, the current president of the country, organized the ranks of the National Front outside Rwanda and carried out a reprisal war and was able to occupy the capital Kigali in 1995.
The number of victims of massacres in the country was estimated at 800,000 out of a population of 11 million, while about two million were forced to leave the country for fear of reprisals.
The President of Rwanda and the guests of honor will begin the ceremony with flowers at the site of the Kigali genocide memorial, followed by a ceremony at the capital's stadium, which is expected to be attended by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.
"Our solidarity with families and friends continues to be lost to this day," EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Federica Mugherini said in a statement on Saturday. "The anniversary events also provide an opportunity to reflect on past lessons for the region and the world at large. "He said.