The 1994 genocide in Rwanda remains one of the darkest periods in contemporary history. For three months, nearly a million people, mainly ethnic Tutsi, were systematically killed by Hutu extremists. More than twenty years after these tragic events, international justice continues to work to bring to justice those responsible for these crimes against humanity.
It is in this context that Pierre Kayondo, an alleged genocide perpetrator, was recently arrested in France. Aged around 70, he is suspected of having actively participated in the genocide in the Gitarama region, Rwanda. Following a complaint filed by the Collective of Civil Parties of Rwanda, French authorities opened a judicial investigation in 2021, which led to Kayondo’s arrest this week.
The accusations against Kayondo are serious. According to testimonies collected by the collective, he played an active role in organizing the exterminations in Ruhango and Tambwe, in Gitarama prefecture. He allegedly trained interahamwe militia groups, provided weapons and participated in meetings aimed at planning attacks against Tutsis. In addition to this, Kayondo would have held responsibilities in the management of Mille Collines radio, famous for its calls for the murder of Tutsis.
This arrest once again demonstrates the importance of universal jurisdiction in the fight against impunity for crimes against humanity. Although the events took place in Rwanda, France is able to prosecute and judge the individuals involved thanks to this jurisdiction. However, the collective deplores the delay taken by French justice in processing these cases, since around thirty cases are still under investigation.
The arrest of Pierre Kayondo is therefore a satisfaction for the Collective of Civil Parties of Rwanda. It represents one more step towards justice for the victims of the genocide and sends a strong message to the suspected genocidaires hiding in France and elsewhere in the world. But there is still much work to be done so that everyone responsible is brought to justice and the wounds caused by the genocide can be healed.
In conclusion, the arrest of Pierre Kayondo, suspected Rwandan genocide perpetrator, in France is an important step in the fight against impunity for crimes against humanity. It demonstrates the relevance of universal jurisdiction and sends a strong message to those responsible still at large. However, it is essential to continue investigating and trying all those who participated in these atrocities, in order to provide justice for the victims and contribute to healing the wounds caused by the 1994 genocide.