France’s Role In The Rwanda Genocide

A report released last week alleges French officials were ‘complicit’ in the Rwandan genocide. In 1994, Rwandan President Juvénal Habyarimana died when his plane was purposefully shot down. His death worsened ethnic tensions, leading to the specific targeting of Tutsis and more than 800,000 people were killed. The government of Rwanda has been investigating France’s role in the genocide, leading to commissioning a Washington DC law firm (Cunningham Levy Muse) to write this report. The ‘Muse Report’ uses already available sources, such as diplomatic cables and witness testimonies. From this information, the report makes two claims against French officials. Firstly, despite knowing about the atrocities, they armed government and militia forces who then massacred the Tutsi people. Secondly, France supported the interim Rwanda government who has since been convicted of genocide charges.

The Foreign Minister of Rwanda, Louise Mushikiwabo, said the report gave “a damning summary of conduct by French officials in Rwanda during the 1990s and thereafter.” She also has said what she believes needs to happen going forward, calling this “an opportunity for French authorities to collaborate better with Rwanda in the pursuit of truth, justice and accountability regarding the genocide against the Tutsi.”

The relationship between Rwanda and France has been strained for some time now. In 2006, a French judge called for a trial of Rwandan President Paul Kagama, who led the rebels who stopped the genocide, over the assassination of Habyarimana. This statement was not taken well, and led to a breakdown in diplomatic ties between Rwanda and France. This tension has not died down. In October, 2016, Rwanda’s National Commission for the Fight against Genocide suggested more than 22 French officials had a role in the genocide, including the French President at the time, Francois Mitterand. France did not responded lightly to these charges. The French Defence Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, said “to affirm that the French army took part in genocide is a despicable lie that I will not tolerate.” Yet despite their determined claim of their innocence, France’s Constitutional Council ruled in September this year that classified documents about Rwanda would remain secret. Al Jazeera stated that the recent report has been given to France with the hope of persuading them to release all evidence in their possession.

Given what is taken place in Myanmar at this very moment, ethnic cleansing is an issue we must treat with the seriousness and gravity that it deserves. The Rwandan genocide may have been over two decades ago, but that does not mean that any involvement with the horrors that took place should be ignored. If we want to prevent genocide taking place in the future, all countries must respect the laws and processes put in place. In that sense, France should work with Rwanda to investigate these claims rather than merely rejecting the allegation or standing in their way. It is not just the responsible nation where our focus is needed, but also the actions of all other governments. Every nation must hold the other to account if we hope to stop needless death from taking place.

Related