France: Agathe Habyarimana, “Fr.” Munyeshyaka et al. should be next to face justice as the “butcher of Gikongoro” Bucyibaruta is sentenced to 20 years

Survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi can now rejoice as another notorious genocidaire is set for a lengthy jail term. A French Court yesterday sentenced the former Gikongoro Prefet, Laurent Bucyibaruta to 20 years for his crimes during the Genocide.

Bucyibaruta, 78, was notoriously known as the ‘Butcher of Gikongoro’ at the height of the genocide, and he has been roaming scot-free in the European country until the country’s court embarked on his substantial trial that lasted two months.

The development came just a year after French President Emmanuel Macron visited Rwanda and delivered a historical speech at the Kigali Genocide Memorial. In the speech, Macron sought the forgiveness of the survivors of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi, for what he admitted was his country’s “historical and political responsibility in Rwanda”.

Well, Bucyibaruta’s trial was just the tip of the iceberg since President Macron also pledged that he would work to ensure no Genocide fugitives among those who had been hiding in his country escape justice.

On the top of those genocidaires that the French judiciary should bring to book urgently is Agathe Kanziga Habyarimana, widow of the genocidal regime ruler Habyarimana. The treacherous woman also doubled as a member of his husband’s inner circle “Akazu”, a small group of Hutu elites that orchestrated the genocide.

Ex-communicated catholic priest Wenceslas Munyeshyaka should not be overlooked as he is still roaming scot-free in France despite his key role in the genocide. Munyeshyaka participated in massive executions of Tutsis which took place on precise dates in April 1994 in the St Famille parish, where he was parish priest at the time.

France is home to hundreds of deniers and revisionists as well as dozens of indicted Genocidaires who apart from Agathe Habyarimana and Munyeshyaka, include:

1. Callixte Mbarushimana
2. Col Laurent Serubuga
3. Hyacinthe Rafiki Nsengiyumva
4. Dr Sosthene Munyemana

5 Ignace Bagilishema

6. Innocent Musabyimana
7. Innocent Bagabo
8. Lt. Col. Marcel Bivugabagabo
9. Dr Charles Twagira
10. Venutse Nyombayire
11. Manasse Bigwenzare
12. Pierre Tegera et al.
13. Col Aloys Ntiwiragabo

There is hope that all these genocidaires will meet their fate as the current French government committed to changing the status quo on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, a subject that had been an elephant in the room in the country’s political landscape.