"We cannot turn the clock back nor can we undo the harm caused, but we have the power to determine the future and to ensure that what happened never happens again"

The statement acknowledges the irreversible nature of history and the permanence of its consequences. Paul Kagame highlights an essential truth about the human experience: once events have unfolded and harm has occurred, neither time nor intention can reverse what has transpired. This recognition carries a sense of humility, emphasizing the limitations inherent in our ability to affect the past, regardless of our desire to undo suffering or repair what has been broken.

However, alongside this acceptance of the past's immutability, a profound sense of agency emerges. While it is impossible to turn back the clock or erase inflicted harm, humans possess the unique power to influence the future. This message is inherently hopeful, it invites individuals and societies not to dwell solely on regrets or unchangeable wrongs, but to use remembrance as a catalyst for positive action. The power to determine the future lies in conscious choices, reflectiveness, and a commitment to actively learn from previous mistakes.

The emphasis on ensuring "that what happened never happens again" underlines the importance of collective responsibility and vigilance. It is a call for sustained effort toward justice, prevention, and remembrance. By acknowledging past wounds and resolving not to repeat them, communities can foster resilience and build systems that safeguard against future harm. Such determination often requires honesty, education, and institutional change, moving beyond symbolic gestures to structural commitments that address root causes and ensure accountability.

Embedded in these words is an ethical appeal to act with foresight and compassion, recognizing that although history cannot be rewritten, the trajectory of the future remains malleable. The statement encourages proactive stewardship of society, urging every individual to contribute to a legacy defined not by recurring tragedy, but by learned wisdom, healing, and steadfast guardianship against the repetition of harmful acts.