The development was announced on Monday 11th April 2022 by French Ambassador to Rwanda, Antoine Anfré during commemoration talks bringing together the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE) and members of the diplomatic corps in Rwanda.
The move follows long time of silence as the country declined to admit its responsibility in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi which claimed lives of more than 1 million victims.
Amb. Anfré said that France has been denying its role in Genocide highlighting that it is time to put it to an end.
“We all know what happened here. There are findings of Duclert report commissioned by the President of the Republic. Researchers reviewed archives for two years to investigate French role during Genocide. The commission finally concluded that France had a huge responsibility in activities that led to Genocide,” he noted.
The envoy said that France is intensifying efforts to try Genocide suspects through trials held in Paris.
The recent cases include those of Claude Muhayimana who was sentenced to 14 years in December 2021 and Laurent Bucyibaruya, the former head of Gikongoro Prefecture being tried among others.
“We want to handle at least one case every six months. It might not be enough but efforts are put in place on collaboration between leaders, Police and the judiciary that French and Rwandan judiciary are working together on this,” Amb. Anfré noted.
France accommodates many Genocide fugitives who have not yet appeared before court yet other related trials are delayed.
One of fugitives arrested in France in the recent past is Felicien Kabuga who is being tried by the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
Other Genocide suspects living in France include Dr. Eugène Rwamucyo, Colonel Laurent Serubuga, Agathe Kanziga Habyarimana and Stanislas Mbonampeka among others.
Amb. Anfré highlighted that knowledge about Genocide will continue to be shared as a contribution to the fight against Genocide denial and trivialization.
He also noted that more efforts need to be put in place to strengthen bilateral relations given that both countries are envisaging joint projects.
Amb. Anfré explained that there are opportunities for future collaboration between both countries through the promotion of French language and other prospective areas of cooperation.
“France wants to be back in the right direction with Rwanda. The visit of President Macron and admitting the role of France had a great significance that we can focus on the future after getting on common ground for our past,” he revealed.
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