Former France and Manchester United captain Patrice Evra has paid tribute to Rwanda’s history and praised its conservation efforts following his visit to the country for the 21st Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming Ceremony.
Evra visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial, where he reflected on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and expressed sympathy to Rwandans affected by the tragedy.
In a message shared during his visit, Evra said understanding a country’s history was important to understanding its people. He described his experience at the memorial as deep, powerful and emotional, and expressed his respect for Rwanda’s journey since the genocide.
Evra also recalled a promise he made to President Paul Kagame six years ago to visit Rwanda.
“I promised to your President, President Kagame, six years ago to visit Rwanda,” Evra said. “Every single day I’m here, every day I am falling in love more and more.”
During his visit, Evra also participated in the 21st Kwita Izina ceremony, joining international and Rwandan personalities in naming newborn mountain gorillas.
He named a baby gorilla “Muganura”, becoming part of the annual ceremony that celebrates Rwanda’s mountain gorilla conservation programme and the wider efforts to protect the species and its habitat.
Evra praised Rwanda’s conservation approach and said other African countries could learn from the country’s experience.
“Many African countries should take an example of Rwanda,” he said.
The former footballer was among 23 Namers who took part in this year’s Kwita Izina ceremony in Kinigi, Musanze District. The group brought together personalities from conservation, sport, business, tourism, entertainment and philanthropy.
Evra’s visit combined remembrance and conservation, with his trip to the Kigali Genocide Memorial providing an opportunity to engage with Rwanda’s history, while his participation in Kwita Izina highlighted the country’s ongoing efforts to protect mountain gorillas.
The annual ceremony has become an international platform for highlighting mountain gorilla conservation and the role of communities and partners in protecting their habitat.
Evra, who captained both Manchester United and France during his football career, won five Premier League titles, the 2008 UEFA Champions League and earned 81 international caps for France.
His Rwanda visit marked the fulfilment of a commitment made years earlier and concluded with his participation in one of the country’s most prominent annual conservation events.
