Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

Findings from the report were presented to President Macron on 26th March 2021. It was made by an expert committee of French historians led by Prof. Vincent Duclert.

The report by French historians revealed that France bears “heavy and overwhelming responsibilities” over tragic history that led to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi which took lives of over 1 million victims.

The report blames the then French President, François Mitterrand, for a “failure” of policy towards Rwanda in 1994. The findings were made public after years of French official secrecy over links to the Government led by Juvenal Habyarimana.

President Macron appointed the 15-member commission two years ago, giving them access to presidential, diplomatic, military and intelligence archives.

Among the archives are those of Mitterrand, who had close ties to former Rwandan President Juvénal Habyarimana.

The commission members include experts on the Holocaust, on the massacres of Armenians in World War I and on international criminal law.

As he delivered the message marking the beginning of the 27th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi; Kagame said that certain French officials have for decades tried to cover up their responsibilities (during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi) which caused significant damage and reminisced on the Duclert report which he welcomed highlighting that it marks an important step toward common understanding of what took place.

“Recently, a commission of historians appointed by the French government released a detailed report after reading official archives that had remained secret. The report shows that President Mitterrand and his closest advisers knew that genocide against Tutsi was being planned by their allies in Rwanda. Despite that knowledge, the president decided to continue supporting them, because he believed this was necessary for France’s geopolitical position. Rwandan lives were just pawns in geopolitical games,” he said.

“We welcome this report because it marks an important step toward a common understanding of what took place. It also marks a change, it shows the desire, even for leaders in France, to move forward with a good understanding of what happened, and we welcome this. We welcome this. We are going to have the report presented to us. I have been informed about it. It is a good thing,” added Kagame.

The President emphasized that Rwanda will, in the near future, release its findings going in the same direction with findings from Duclert report.

“Rwanda will also have a word to say in the near future, maybe around the third week of this month. The findings we have in our hands, based on the work that has been done by people who were commissioned to do that in parallel to what was being done in France — the findings go in the same direction. The important thing is to continue working together to document the truth. This is the truth,” he noted.

Kagame delivered the message today as he addressed remarks marking the beginning of the 27th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi to Rwandans and friends of Rwanda.

The ceremony held after lighting the flame of hope at Kigali genocide Memorial, observed COVID-19 control measures including wearing of face masks, and keeping social distancing among others.

As he addressed participants, Kagame said that Kwibuka (remembrance) challenges Rwandans to reflect on the context of the present moment, ‘as well as the cumulative history that has led us here’.

Despite the fact that Rwanda may not yet be wealthy or fully healthy, and has vulnerabilities and limitations, like any country; the President highlighted the country knows how to deal with own problems which have turned Rwandans into resilient people full of purpose and hope.

From wounds of Genocide, emerged strength that helped Rwandans to strive for a united country that has promoted unity and reconciliation. Among others, Rwanda has registered fast progress after the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi that it has been become a role model many countries worldwide come to learn from.

Considering the journey, Rwandans went through and attained progress; President Kagame said that the immensity of what has been achieved is almost miraculous that the results are attested to by Rwandans, and indeed indisputable.

“First, there are the tangible signs, things that we can see and feel. New buildings and roads. Better hospitals and health centres. Water and electricity services, where they never existed before. Visitors flocking to see Rwanda’s unique wildlife and enjoy our hospitality. But the intangible transformations which have taken place in the hearts and minds of our people are even more important. They allow progress to be sustained from generation to generation,” he said.

Despite efforts by genocide deniers and propagandists that continue to fuel genocide denials, and trivialization, Kagame stressed that Rwandans have managed to distinguish the right from evils and remained committed to their purpose to rebuild a better nation and consolidate gains.

“We also credit Rwanda’s rebirth to the fact that the larger part of Rwandans wanted to build a better nation and overcome the manipulations by the bad leaders of the past. Given the chance to live better and see things differently, our people seized it. This is an indispensable part of our strength,” he said.

“As a result, even in the midst of constant pressures and distractions, Rwanda today is unquestionably more united and forward-looking than ever before. And here, I am speaking particularly about the youth, who are the vast majority of our country’s people. That is why all efforts to divide and divert us have failed, and will continue to fail,” added Kagame.

The President emphasized that Rwandans of today have gained a lot, that they have something precious to defend. He however explained that it requires constant vigilance, along with a commitment to introspection and honesty.

“Decades, even centuries of progress, can be wiped away in the blink of an eye. We have seen examples in different societies around the world, no matter how advanced. I know for certain that Rwandans will always be ready to protect what we have built, without hesitation or apology,” he noted.

She delivered the message today via Twitter handle as Rwanda began the 27th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi that will last for 100 days.

“Let us remember and continue to remind each other of our common identity as Rwandans; that we will stand by it, as well as pass it onto generations to come! Humura Rwanda!” she said.

Commemoration events will be held virtually in compliance with Coronavirus preventive measures. They will be aired on radios, televisions and other designated social media platforms.

On 26th January 2018, the United Nations declared 7th April as the international day for commemoration of Genocide against Tutsi.

On 7th April every year, the international community commemorates the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi which took lives of over 1 million Tutsi victims in three months.

President Paul Kagame alongside First Lady, Jeannette Kagame presided over the ceremony marking the beginning of the 27th Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi lighting the flame of remembrance and laying wreaths at the Kigali Genocide Memorial where 259,000 genocide victims from Gasabo, Kicukiro and Nyarugenge in Kigali city are laid to rest.

The report made by the Ministry of Local Government from 2000 to 2002 indicated that 1,074,017 Tutsis were killed during 100 days from April to July 1994. The report released in 2004 identifies places where genocide victims lived, their ages and names.

The ceremony took place today at Kigali Genocide Memorial where 259,000 remains of genocide victims from Gasabo, Kicukiro and Nyarugenge in Kigali city are laid to rest.

On 7th April every year, the international community commemorates the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi which took lives of over 1 million Tutsi victims in three months.

It is a time to remember victims, unite through the strength of the Rwandan nation, and renew the determination to build a prosperous future.

Before lighting the flame of hope that will last for 100 days, Kagame along First Lady laid wreaths at the memorial’s mass graves as they paid tribute to fallen Genocide victims.

The ceremony was held observing strict COVID-19 control measures including wearing of face masks, and keeping social distancing among others.

In attendance were the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Representatives from umbrella organizations of genocide survivors including IBUKA and AVEGA Agahozo.

After laying wreaths and paying tribute to genocide victims laid at the memorial, President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame have joined over 500 Rwandans and friends of Rwanda, gathered at Kigali Arena in observance of COVID-19 measures, for a ceremony marking the 27th Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

This year, commemoration events will be held virtually in compliance with Coronavirus preventive measures. They will be aired on radios, televisions and other designated social media platforms.

On 26th January 2018, the United Nations declared 7th April as the international day for commemoration of Genocide against Tutsi.

Audoin-Rouzeau made the observation on Tuesday 6th April 2021, few days after Duclert report that reviewed archives on France’s role during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi presented findings to President Macron on 26th March 2021.

The committee that made the report was led by historian, Prof. Vincent Duclert.

The report by French historians revealed that France bears “heavy and overwhelming responsibilities” over tragic history that led to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi which took lives of over 1 million victims.

The report also triggered reactions of other French soldiers who were deployed in ‘Opération Turquoise’ (a French-led military intervention in Rwanda since 1994) among other politicians who have been explaining the Government of the then French President, Mitterand disregarded for several times reports and evidences explaining that Genocide was under preparation in Rwanda.

France Inter Radio based in France yesterday aired a talk commenting on Duclert report in which a historian, Audoin-Rouzeau and female Rwandan survivor of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi, Jeanne Allaire Kayigirwa were invited.

Audoin-Rouzeau who was delisted from the committee making Duclert report said that showing the role of France during the Genocide against Tutsi ‘ is a great milestone’ filling the gap among French nationals denying genocide.

“The Presidency Office had all means to know and refuse the existence of ethnic groups in Rwanda. This means, they were able to prevent racial discrimination and divisive Government of Habyarimana. It kept a blind eye to killings that took place in 1990 and continued with participation of Government officials. Duclert is clear enough,”he said.

Audoin-Rouzeau explained that there are many countries that apologized for role during the 1994 Genocie against Tutsi like Vatican and highlighted that France should also follow the suit.

“I beseech President Macron to apologize on behalf of France. The president of the Republic should support this truth. Belgians apologized and Vatican did so. Why should France refrain from apologizing? The President of the Republic should do so,” he advised.

Jeanne Allaire Kayigirwa also emphasized that findings of the report are clear but criticized the statement that France supported Habyarimana’s Government blindly.

“It is a great milestone but the word ‘blind’ is not corresponding to the context. You cannot state that it was blind to provide support yet it was well known that Habyarimana’s Government was characterized by racial discrimination, preparing the extermination of Tutsis,” she said.

Kayigirwa also insisted that Macron should apologize for France’s role during the Genocide against Tutsi.

“We are awaiting his reaction. We ask him to hold a speech on 7th April, at the day he dedicated for commemoration of the 1194 Genocide against Tutsi in his country. The time is now for the President of the Republic to apologize to families of genocide survivors,” she observed.