Baku 10° C
https://static.report.az/photo/1c011c3a-4bad-3771-b01e-974571425ceb.jpg
France played a role in instigating the events that led to the genocide against the Tutsis in 1994, Charles Kayonga, the non-resident Ambassador of Rwanda to Azerbaijan, stated in an interview with Report.
The ambassador highlighted that like many other colonial powers, France did not want to give total independence to its colonies but rather instituted measures to remain in control of these countries. One of these measures was to support puppet leaders to assume power.
“Although Rwanda was not colonized by France, it came to develop a close relationship with the country because of the French language influence, and because of its geographical location at the edge of the French speaking region of central Africa. French role in Rwanda came on spotlight during the regime of President Habyarimana who came to power through a military coup d’état in 1973.
This unconditional support emboldened the president to reject pleas of Rwandan refugees, mainly Tutsi, who had fled the country after the first genocide against them in the early 1960s around the period of independence. This situation of statelessness provoked Rwandans in exile, to launch the liberation war in October 1990,” Kayonga noted.
He also pointed out that this war was an internal matter between Rwandans and the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF): “The movement that initiated the war, meant it as a shock action to cause Habyarimana to reconsider his stance and negotiate a political settlement ensuring the return of the refugees.
The RPF therefore always supported peace initiatives that came up during the war. However, the French supported their ally bringing in military personnel and equipment and even instructed one of their regional cronies, Marshall Mobutu Sese Seko, President of the Zaire, now Democratic of Congo DRC, to send military reinforcement to Rwanda.
This action by France further made Habyarimana intransigent ensuring his determination to pursue the military course of action. The French action, motivated by their intention to remain in charge in Rwanda, can be said to have propelled events that led to the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.”
Read the full interview here.
