As Rwandans marked the 30th anniversary of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis, French President Emmanuel Macron made a significant statement from France. Macron reiterated his acknowledgment of France’s failure to prevent the massacres, but once again stopped short of issuing a formal apology.
“I stand by my previous comments,” Macron stated in a video message. “We all turned a blind eye to the hundreds of thousands of victims left behind in this tragic chapter of history.”
Despite the French presidency’s initial text suggesting Macron would admit that France and its allies could have intervened to stop the bloodshed, the final message fell short of offering a concrete apology. This shift in tone surprised many in Rwanda and among Rwandan survivors residing in France.
Philibert Gakwenzire, president of Ibuka, the French association of genocide survivors, expressed the need for Paris to take further steps, including issuing an official apology and providing reparations to survivors. He emphasized the importance of combating historical denial of the genocide, a global issue that persists to this day.
While Macron did not personally attend the commemorations in Kigali, his foreign affairs minister, Stéphane Séjourné, represented France at the event. French General Jean Varret acknowledged that France had the means to influence the Rwandan government in the lead-up to the genocide, had it acted earlier.
In a symbolic gesture of remembrance, the Eiffel Tower in Paris displayed illuminated letters spelling out ‘Kwibuka 30’ in Kinyarwanda, marking 30 years since the start of the genocide. Despite France being a destination for Rwandans seeking refuge from justice at home, the country has tried and convicted several individuals for their role in the killings.
As Rwanda continues its commemoration activities until early July, President Kagame is also gearing up for reelections scheduled for mid-July. The events surrounding the genocide serve as a stark reminder of the need for accountability and remembrance in the face of such atrocities.
