Succeeding Antoine Anfr\u00e9, who served in Kigali for four years, Ambassador Aur\u00e9lie Royet-Gounin arrives with extensive experience on the African continent, having previously worked in Kenya (2000\u20132003) and Senegal (2006\u20132009).<\/p>\n
Speaking to IGIHE in an exclusive interview, Royet-Gounin admitted that before her appointment, her knowledge of Rwanda was limited to general impressions.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had heard a lot about Rwanda, but had never set foot here,\u201d she said. \u201cBefore coming, I met with many people in Paris, from ministries, institutions, and organisations connected to Rwanda, to understand the country better and prepare for the mission.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her first impressions were striking. Upon arriving in Rwanda, she said what struck her most was the country\u2019s uniqueness, describing it as \u201ca very distinctive blend\u201d unlike any other she had experienced. <\/p>\n
\u201cEvery country has its own identity, but here there\u2019s something truly special: the hills, the orderliness, the civility. People are determined, respectful, and remarkably calm,\u201d she added, noting that the atmosphere of safety and courtesy makes life welcoming for a newcomer.<\/p>\n
{{Between history and healing
\n}}<\/p>\n
Royet-Gounin takes office at a delicate but hopeful moment in the relationship between France and Rwanda, still shaped by the legacy of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. She acknowledges that both sides have had to take difficult steps to rebuild trust.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur reconciliation, which culminated in 2021, required introspection from France and great generosity from Rwanda,\u201d she said. \u201cWe have reset relations and now focus on mutual trust and cooperation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Central to France\u2019s engagement, she said, are memory and justice. France has committed to preserving and teaching the history of Rwanda and the Genocide against the Tutsi through research, memorialisation, and education. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat includes concrete projects: historical research, the creation of a memorial soon to be inaugurated in Paris, and educational programs in French schools to ensure that students understand and remember,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
But the reconciliation narrative also carries a legal dimension. Over the past decade, France has faced mounting pressure to act against genocide fugitives living on its soil, and recent years have seen significant judicial progress. <\/p>\n
Laurent Bucyibaruta, the former governor of Gikongoro, was sentenced in Paris in 2022 to 20 years for complicity in genocide, while Philippe Hategekimana, a former Rwandan gendarme who had obtained French nationality, was convicted in 2023 and sentenced to life imprisonment. Another case, that of Sosth\u00e8ne Munyemana, a former doctor accused of involvement in killings in Butare, has been on trial since late 2023.<\/p>\n
F\u00e9licien Kabuga, long considered the \u201cfinancier\u201d of the genocide, was arrested in 2020 near Paris after 26 years on the run and extradited to The Hague. Though declared unfit to stand trial due to dementia, his arrest remains a significant moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrance is firmly committed to fighting impunity,\u201d Royet-Gounin said, emphasising close cooperation between France\u2019s National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor\u2019s Office and Rwanda\u2019s Office of the Prosecutor General.<\/p>\n
{{Development beyond diplomacy
\n}}<\/p>\n
Beyond the courtroom and symbolic reconciliation, France\u2019s relationship with Rwanda has become increasingly developmental. The French Development Agency (AFD) has invested heavily in Rwanda since the 2021 relaunch of cooperation.<\/p>\n
France pledged \u20ac500 million in 2021 and an additional \u20ac400 million in 2024 to finance joint projects. These include the rehabilitation of Ruhengeri Hospital, vocational training programs, and youth employment initiatives.<\/p>\n
\u201cHealth, education, and inclusion through sport are key areas,\u201d Royet-Gounin explained. \u201cWe also work on climate resilience, a universal challenge where France and Rwanda share a strong sense of responsibility.\u201d<\/p>\n
While large-scale projects dominate the headlines, the ambassador insists that cultural and linguistic collaboration remains crucial. \u201cWe continue to promote the French language by training teachers, accrediting bilingual schools, and improving language quality across disciplines,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
{{Humanitarian diplomacy and regional engagement
\n}}<\/p>\n
Asked about her recent participation in the October 30 humanitarian conference in Paris, co-hosted by France and Togo under the auspices of the African Union, Royet-Gounin described it as a show of solidarity rather than a negotiation platform.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a pledging conference meant to support the peace processes underway, the Rwanda\u2013DRC talks in Washington and the inter-Congolese dialogue in Doha,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
France\u2019s position, she explained, was to \u201cdemonstrate that the international community has not forgotten the conflict, the displaced, or the victims.\u201d <\/p>\n
The meeting raised \u20ac1.5 billion in humanitarian pledges for recovery and reconstruction efforts in the Great Lakes region.<\/p>\n
{{Women, the Francophonie, and feminist diplomacy
\n}}<\/p>\n
The ambassador also previewed the upcoming Francophonie Foreign Ministers\u2019 Meeting in Kigali, describing it as both symbolic and strategic. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are delighted it\u2019s happening in Rwanda, a very active member of the Francophonie under Louise Mushikiwabo\u2019s leadership,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The summit\u2019s theme, \u201c30 years after the Beijing Conference: the contribution of women in the Francophone space,\u201d reflects France\u2019s focus on feminist diplomacy. Royet-Gounin said the discussions align with ongoing efforts to promote women\u2019s rights, inclusion, and equal participation in peace and security processes, noting the continued relevance of commitments made at the Beijing Conference.<\/p>\n
\u201cLa Francophonie is not just about language or culture, it\u2019s also an economic and values-based community,\u201d she said, pointing out that by 2050, French speakers will number around 700 million, making it the world\u2019s fifth most spoken language.<\/p>\n
{{Listening, learning, and walking Rwanda\u2019s hills
\n}}<\/p>\n
Despite the dense diplomatic agenda, Ambassador Royet-Gounin said her approach begins with humility and observation. \u201cThe wise person is first an ear that listens,\u201d she said, quoting an adage she has adopted as her motto.<\/p>\n
She plans to spend her early months meeting people from different walks of life and understanding Rwanda beyond official meetings and reports. <\/p>\n
\u201cMy job is not only to represent France, but also to understand and convey what we observe and feel,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI brought my walking shoes. I fully intend to explore this beautiful country as much as possible,” she added.<\/p>\n
Watch the full interview below.<\/p>\n