Rwanda is still trying to heal the past wounds when almost a million people were massacred to death in 1994. It became one of the worst genocides in modern history, and decades later, orchestrators of the violence and murders, who either became fugitives or simply vanished, are still being hunted...one such person who has been on the run, is Fulgence Kayishema, arrested recently in South Africa... Kayishema is one of the last four remaining fugitives. But almost three decades later, will the country ever find a closure?

Horrific memories resurface, fugitive captured 29 years later

A former police chief in Rwanda, Fulgence Kayishema, who is accused of ordering the killings of some 2,000 ethnic Tutsis in a church has been arrested in South Africa, said a United Nations war crimes tribunal and South African police. The killing took place in 1994 during the Rwandan genocide. Kayishema has been on the run since 2001 when the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) indicted him for genocide in Nyange Catholic Church in Kibuye Prefecture.

"His arrest ensures that he will finally face justice for his alleged crimes," said Serge Brammertz, prosecutor at the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT), which has replaced the ICTR since it wound up in 2008. Brammertz was quoted by Reuters.

At the time of his arrest, Kayishema was living under the false name Donatien Nibashumba, at a grape farm in Paarl, in Western Cape province. The arrest was made on Wednesday (May 25) by an elite South African police unit known as the Hawks.

"The fugitive will remain in custody to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate Court for his first appearance on Friday ... pending his extradition to Rwanda," the unit said in a statement.

In her first comment on the arrest, Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo tweeted: "Finally."

<h2>Rwandan Genocide</h2>

About 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and Hutu moderates were killed during the Rwanda genocide which was orchestrated by the extremist Hutu regime. The genocide was meticulously executed by local officials and ordinary citizens in a country which has a rigidly hierarchical society.

"Seeing these people arrested brings healing to the survivors," said Naphtal Ahishakiye, executive secretary of Ibuka, an umbrella group representing survivors.

US State Department has Kayishema on its wanted list under the Rewards for Justice programme. A reward of USD 5 million was on offer for his arrest.

<h2>Investigation across several countries&nbsp;</h2>

Brammertz said that the investigation which resulted in his arrest spanned multiple countries in Africa and even beyond.

In May 2020, another mastermind of the genocide, Felicien Kabuga, was arrested in France after 26 years on the run.

Kayishema's arrest means there are now only three fugitives indicted by the international tribunal whose whereabouts remain unknown, though Makolo said Rwanda considers that a greater number of suspects are yet to be caught.

"Nearly 30 years later, we have a long list of Rwandan genocide fugitives still at large in several countries around the world," she told Reuters.

"We will continue to work with partner states and institutions to ensure that they are held to account."

(With inputs from agencies)

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A former police chief in Rwanda, Fulgence Kayishema, who is accused of ordering the killings of some 2,000 ethnic Tutsis in a church has been arrested in South Africa, said a United Nations war crimes tribunal and South African police.

A former police chief in Rwanda, Fulgence Kayishema, who is accused of ordering the killings of some 2,000 ethnic Tutsis in a church has been arrested in South Africa, said a United Nations war crimes tribunal and South African police. The killing took place in 1994 during the Rwandan genocide. Kayishema has been on the run since 2001 when the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) indicted him for genocide in Nyange Catholic Church in Kibuye Prefecture. "His arrest ensures that he will finally face justice for his alleged crimes," said Serge Brammertz, prosecutor at the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT), which has replaced the ICTR since it wound up in 2008. Brammertz was quoted by Reuters. At the time of his arrest, Kayishema was living under the false name Donatien Nibashumba, at a grape farm in Paarl, in Western Cape province. The arrest was made on Wednesday (May 25) by an elite South African police unit known as the Hawks. "The fugitive will remain in custody to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate Court for his first appearance on Friday ... pending his extradition to Rwanda," the unit said in a statement. In her first comment on the arrest, Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo tweeted: "Finally." Rwandan Genocide About 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and Hutu moderates were killed during the Rwanda genocide which was orchestrated by the extremist Hutu regime. The genocide was meticulously executed by local officials and ordinary citizens in a country which has a rigidly hierarchical society. "Seeing these people arrested brings healing to the survivors," said Naphtal Ahishakiye, executive secretary of Ibuka, an umbrella group representing survivors. US State Department has Kayishema on its wanted list under the Rewards for Justice programme. A reward of USD 5 million was on offer for his arrest. Investigation across several countries Brammertz said that the investigation which resulted in his arrest spanned multiple countries in Africa and even beyond. In May 2020, another mastermind of the genocide, Felicien Kabuga, was arrested in France after 26 years on the run. Kayishema's arrest means there are now only three fugitives indicted by the international tribunal whose whereabouts remain unknown, though Makolo said Rwanda considers that a greater number of suspects are yet to be caught. "Nearly 30 years later, we have a long list of Rwandan genocide fugitives still at large in several countries around the world," she told Reuters. "We will continue to work with partner states and institutions to ensure that they are held to account." (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Former police chief, a Rwandan genocide suspect, arrested in South Africa

Felicien Kabuga, the alleged financier of the horrific Rwandan genocide pleaded not guilty in a United Nations court. He was produced in the court after being on the run for a quarter of the century. Formerly one of Rwanda's richest men, Kabuga allegedly helped set up hate media that urged ethnic Hutus to "kill the Tutsi cockroaches". He also funded militia groups.

Kabuga, now in his 80s, was arrested in France in May. He was then transferred to the court in The Hague in October. He faces charges of a key role in killing of 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus.&nbsp;

The frail Kabuga sat in a wheelchair behind a glass screen in the courtroom, wearing a coronavirus mask. A court official helped him adjust his headphones. His defence lawyer Emmanuel Altit said Kabuga was "very tired" and "preferred not to speak", when asked by judge Iain Bonomy if the former businessman wanted to enter a plea.&nbsp;

"Given the situation, I would be grateful if you could consider this lack of response as a plea of not guilty on all the counts, under the rules and procedures," Altit told the court.

Kabuga, who until his arrest near Paris was one of the world's most wanted men, had already denied the charges in his court appearances in France.

The Rwandan faces seven counts including genocide, incitement to genocide, extermination and persecution.

The UN court will later decide if he will be transferred to its branch in Tanzania for trial.

Contributed to deaths

The UN says 800,000 people were murdered in a 100-day rampage that began in April 1994 in Rwanda, in scenes of horror that shocked the world.

Kabuga was then an ally of the ruling party in Rwanda. He allegedly helped create the Interahamwe Hutu militia group and the Radio-Television Libre des Mille Collines (RTLM), whose broadcasts incited people to murder.

The indictment, read by court official said, "RTLM broadcasts contributed to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of persons identified as Tutsi civilians."

The radio station also identified the hiding places of Tutsis where they were later killed, it said.&nbsp;

He is also accused of helping to buy machetes that were distributed to genocidal groups, and ordering them to kill Tutsis. Kabuga spent years on the run using a succession of false passports, with investigators saying that he had been helped by a network of former Rwandan allies to evade justice.&nbsp;

Following his arrest in a small apartment near Paris, his lawyers argued that Kabuga -- who says he is aged 87 but according to the arrest warrant is 84 -- should face trial in France for health reasons. But France's top court ruled he should be moved to UN custody on a warrant issued in 1997 by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR). Kabuga was initially to be transferred to the UN court's facility in Arusha, Tanzania, which took over the ICTR's duties when it formally closed in 2015.

But a UN judge ruled he should first be taken to the court's Hague branch for a medical examination, and it was not immediately known when or if Kabuga might be transferred to Arusha.

(With AFP inputs)

Felicien Kabuga, the alleged financier of the horrific Rwandan genocide pleaded not guilty in a United Nations court. He was produced in the court after being on the run for a quarter of the century.

Felicien Kabuga, the alleged financier of the horrific Rwandan genocide pleaded not guilty in a United Nations court. He was produced in the court after being on the run for a quarter of the century. Formerly one of Rwanda's richest men, Kabuga allegedly helped set up hate media that urged ethnic Hutus to "kill the Tutsi cockroaches". He also funded militia groups. Kabuga, now in his 80s, was arrested in France in May. He was then transferred to the court in The Hague in October. He faces charges of a key role in killing of 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus. The frail Kabuga sat in a wheelchair behind a glass screen in the courtroom, wearing a coronavirus mask. A court official helped him adjust his headphones. His defence lawyer Emmanuel Altit said Kabuga was "very tired" and "preferred not to speak", when asked by judge Iain Bonomy if the former businessman wanted to enter a plea. "Given the situation, I would be grateful if you could consider this lack of response as a plea of not guilty on all the counts, under the rules and procedures," Altit told the court. Kabuga, who until his arrest near Paris was one of the world's most wanted men, had already denied the charges in his court appearances in France. The Rwandan faces seven counts including genocide, incitement to genocide, extermination and persecution. The UN court will later decide if he will be transferred to its branch in Tanzania for trial. Contributed to deaths The UN says 800,000 people were murdered in a 100-day rampage that began in April 1994 in Rwanda, in scenes of horror that shocked the world. Kabuga was then an ally of the ruling party in Rwanda. He allegedly helped create the Interahamwe Hutu militia group and the Radio-Television Libre des Mille Collines (RTLM), whose broadcasts incited people to murder. The indictment, read by court official said, "RTLM broadcasts contributed to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of persons identified as Tutsi civilians." The radio station also identified the hiding places of Tutsis where they were later killed, it said. He is also accused of helping to buy machetes that were distributed to genocidal groups, and ordering them to kill Tutsis. Kabuga spent years on the run using a succession of false passports, with investigators saying that he had been helped by a network of former Rwandan allies to evade justice. Following his arrest in a small apartment near Paris, his lawyers argued that Kabuga -- who says he is aged 87 but according to the arrest warrant is 84 -- should face trial in France for health reasons. But France's top court ruled he should be moved to UN custody on a warrant issued in 1997 by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR). Kabuga was initially to be transferred to the UN court's facility in Arusha, Tanzania, which took over the ICTR's duties when it formally closed in 2015. But a UN judge ruled he should first be taken to the court's Hague branch for a medical examination, and it was not immediately known when or if Kabuga might be transferred to Arusha. (With AFP inputs)

Rwandan genocide 'financier' pleads not guilty before UN

France has opened a probe into alleged crimes against humanity by a top former Rwandan military official, Aloys Ntiwiragabo, during the country's 1994 genocide which claimed 800,000 lives.

Anti-terrorism prosecutors told AFP Saturday that a preliminary investigation was opened after Ntiwiragabo was found hiding in the suburbs of the city of Orleans, about 100 kilometres south-west of Paris.

French investigative news site Mediapart tracked down the former Rwandan spy chief, who was identified by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) as one of the architects of the genocide.

Neither the ICTR, Interpol, France nor Rwanda were actively seeking him now and had dropped arrest warrants years ago.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-court-orders-rwanda-genocide-suspect-be-tried-at-un-tribunal-302986">Also read:&nbsp;French court orders Rwanda genocide suspect be tried at UN tribunal</a>

The revelation of his whereabouts comes barely two months after another suspected genocide architect, Felicien Kabuga, was arrested on the fringes of Paris.

Kabuga, who evaded police in several countries for 25 years, is accused of financing the genocide.

Kabuga had asked for a trial in France, citing frail health and claiming the United Nations court in Africa would be biased against him, and possibly hand him over to Rwandan authorities.

France has long been known as a hiding place for wanted genocide suspects and French investigators currently have dozens of cases underway.

A plane carrying President Juvenal Habyarimana, from Rwanda's Hutu majority, was shot down in Kigali on April 6, 1994, unleashing the killing spree that would leave mainly Tutsis but also moderate Hutus dead.

France has opened a probe into alleged crimes against humanity by a top former Rwandan military official, Aloys Ntiwiragabo, during the country's 1994 genocide which claimed 800,000 lives.

France has opened a probe into alleged crimes against humanity by a top former Rwandan military official, Aloys Ntiwiragabo, during the country's 1994 genocide which claimed 800,000 lives. Anti-terrorism prosecutors told AFP Saturday that a preliminary investigation was opened after Ntiwiragabo was found hiding in the suburbs of the city of Orleans, about 100 kilometres south-west of Paris. French investigative news site Mediapart tracked down the former Rwandan spy chief, who was identified by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) as one of the architects of the genocide. Neither the ICTR, Interpol, France nor Rwanda were actively seeking him now and had dropped arrest warrants years ago. Also read: French court orders Rwanda genocide suspect be tried at UN tribunal The revelation of his whereabouts comes barely two months after another suspected genocide architect, Felicien Kabuga, was arrested on the fringes of Paris. Kabuga, who evaded police in several countries for 25 years, is accused of financing the genocide. Kabuga had asked for a trial in France, citing frail health and claiming the United Nations court in Africa would be biased against him, and possibly hand him over to Rwandan authorities. France has long been known as a hiding place for wanted genocide suspects and French investigators currently have dozens of cases underway. A plane carrying President Juvenal Habyarimana, from Rwanda's Hutu majority, was shot down in Kigali on April 6, 1994, unleashing the killing spree that would leave mainly Tutsis but also moderate Hutus dead.

France opens probe into Rwandan genocide suspect

A <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/macron-names-experts-to-probe-french-action-during-rwanda-genocide-208166">Rwandan</a> man was sentenced on Monday to more than eight years in prison after being convicted of concealing his involvement in the African nation's 1994 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/forgiveness-is-the-only-way-forward-for-rwanda-genocide-survivors-208805">genocide in hopes</a> of gaining asylum in the United States.

Federal prosecutors in Boston had sought 20 years in prison for Jean Leonard Teganya, 48, saying if he was being sentenced for the murders and rapes they say he participated in rather than immigration fraud, they would have sought a life term.

US District Judge F. Dennis Saylor said he did not want to suggest the genocide, in which members of a hard-line Hutu regime massacred an estimated 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus during three months of slaughter, was not "horrifying."

But the judge said he was not comfortable sentencing Teganya above the federal sentencing guidelines for the immigration-related crimes he was convicted of to punish him for crimes that he could not be charged over in the United States.

"The punishment should fit the offence," he said.

Teganya is expected to appeal. His lawyer at trial argued Teganya fled Rwanda because after the genocide any Hutu could be implicated.

Prosecutors said that during the violence, Teganya was a medical student at a hospital in the southern Rwandan city of Butare and was active in the political party that helped perpetrate the genocide.

Citing witnesses, prosecutors alleged that Teganya led Hutu soldiers through the hospital to identify Tutsi patients who were then killed, and personally participated in the murder of seven Tutsis and five rapes.

He left Rwanda in mid-July 1994 and travelled through Congo, Kenya and India before arriving in Canada in 1999, prosecutors said.

He sought asylum in Canada, but officials concluded he took part in atrocities against Tutsis and, following years of litigation, ultimately ordered his removal from the country, prosecutors said.

They said he then fled in 2014 and crossed into the United States, entering through Houlton, Maine, where he encountered US Customs and Border Control officers and requested asylum.

A Rwandan man was sentenced on Monday to more than eight years in prison after being convicted of concealing his involvement in the African nation's 1994 genocide in hopes of gaining asylum in the United States.

A Rwandan man was sentenced on Monday to more than eight years in prison after being convicted of concealing his involvement in the African nation's 1994 genocide in hopes of gaining asylum in the United States. Federal prosecutors in Boston had sought 20 years in prison for Jean Leonard Teganya, 48, saying if he was being sentenced for the murders and rapes they say he participated in rather than immigration fraud, they would have sought a life term. US District Judge F. Dennis Saylor said he did not want to suggest the genocide, in which members of a hard-line Hutu regime massacred an estimated 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus during three months of slaughter, was not "horrifying." But the judge said he was not comfortable sentencing Teganya above the federal sentencing guidelines for the immigration-related crimes he was convicted of to punish him for crimes that he could not be charged over in the United States. "The punishment should fit the offence," he said. Teganya is expected to appeal. His lawyer at trial argued Teganya fled Rwanda because after the genocide any Hutu could be implicated. Prosecutors said that during the violence, Teganya was a medical student at a hospital in the southern Rwandan city of Butare and was active in the political party that helped perpetrate the genocide. Citing witnesses, prosecutors alleged that Teganya led Hutu soldiers through the hospital to identify Tutsi patients who were then killed, and personally participated in the murder of seven Tutsis and five rapes. He left Rwanda in mid-July 1994 and travelled through Congo, Kenya and India before arriving in Canada in 1999, prosecutors said. He sought asylum in Canada, but officials concluded he took part in atrocities against Tutsis and, following years of litigation, ultimately ordered his removal from the country, prosecutors said. They said he then fled in 2014 and crossed into the United States, entering through Houlton, Maine, where he encountered US Customs and Border Control officers and requested asylum.

Rwandan man gets eight years in US prison for lying about genocide role

Around 25 years back, Rwanda faced one of the most heinous killings which tore the country apart. The spasm of ethnic hatred is although hard for the genocide survivors to recall the time when their loved ones were consigned to unknown graves, yet they believe that forgiveness is the only way forward. They spoke to WION and shared their story of so far.&nbsp;

"I was four years old when genocide happened. Although I do not remember the complete picture, some of the gory images of history are hard for me to forget. I lost my parents just after three weeks of the genocide. It is very hard for me to see the guy alive who killed my parents. He asks me to forgive him. I forgive him now as I see a larger picture with my family who I want to learn from the past and fight for the nation", says Cedric Nsabimana (Rwanda genocide survivor).

While Anita Umuhire, eight years at the time of the genocide, lost more than 10 members of her family, recalls the time when she managed to escape.&nbsp;

"We were at home when it first started. Like many people, we did not understand the gravity of what was happening until my friends started dying and the killers broke into our home, trying to find if we had ties with the enemies. We started hiding behind the bushes and spent three weeks. A family priest came to help us escape and took us to his parish but it wasn’t safe for us because by then our family had been affiliated to ''the enemy'', but anyhow we managed to escape to Hotel des Milles Collines (Hotel Rwanda). Hence, the escape was not so easy for us, Umuhire said.&nbsp;

At the time of the genocide which was sparked after the killing of then president, it took survivors long to rebuild their lives. But now the unity and togetherness give them hope for a better and safer future for their family to live in.&nbsp;

"My neighbours helped me in surviving when I was running on the streets. Now I see a completely different picture of Rwanda and the mentality of the people. We now do not see each other as any ethnic group but just as Rwandian. Those people who did genocide are now friends, family and neighbours. This is just because of forgiveness. Hence no matter what happens again with us, we should always remember that we are accountable to one another, says Cedric, who is now a father of an eight-month-old son.

While Umuhire, emphasises how better education and good leadership plays an important role for any country to develop it's fractured economy/stability and wants her child to dream big.&nbsp;

"Education is very important. It's the tool that opens up one's mind and allows them to use their own judgement and make good decisions. Our people were taught hate through bad leadership which resulted in the murder of millions and left so many wounded for life but through education, people are now able to make better judgement calls and realise that what unites us is bigger than what separates us", Umuhire added.

Both the survivors feel, they are proud of their country to which Victor Kgomoeswana, an author from Africa agrees and says, "Africa is the best run country by far. Evidence being its economy and political stability now."

"We commemorate every year not to revenge but to tell the world that Rwandian is accountable for each other and can find a solution to its all problems," added Kgomoeswana.

Around 25 years back, Rwanda faced one of the most heinous killings which tore the country apart. The spasm of ethnic hatred is although hard for the genocide survivors to recall the time when their loved ones were consigned to unknown graves, yet they believe that forgiveness is the only way forward.

Around 25 years back, Rwanda faced one of the most heinous killings which tore the country apart. The spasm of ethnic hatred is although hard for the genocide survivors to recall the time when their loved ones were consigned to unknown graves, yet they believe that forgiveness is the only way forward. They spoke to WION and shared their story of so far. "I was four years old when genocide happened. Although I do not remember the complete picture, some of the gory images of history are hard for me to forget. I lost my parents just after three weeks of the genocide. It is very hard for me to see the guy alive who killed my parents. He asks me to forgive him. I forgive him now as I see a larger picture with my family who I want to learn from the past and fight for the nation", says Cedric Nsabimana (Rwanda genocide survivor). While Anita Umuhire, eight years at the time of the genocide, lost more than 10 members of her family, recalls the time when she managed to escape. "We were at home when it first started. Like many people, we did not understand the gravity of what was happening until my friends started dying and the killers broke into our home, trying to find if we had ties with the enemies. We started hiding behind the bushes and spent three weeks. A family priest came to help us escape and took us to his parish but it wasn’t safe for us because by then our family had been affiliated to ''the enemy'', but anyhow we managed to escape to Hotel des Milles Collines (Hotel Rwanda). Hence, the escape was not so easy for us, Umuhire said. At the time of the genocide which was sparked after the killing of then president, it took survivors long to rebuild their lives. But now the unity and togetherness give them hope for a better and safer future for their family to live in. "My neighbours helped me in surviving when I was running on the streets. Now I see a completely different picture of Rwanda and the mentality of the people. We now do not see each other as any ethnic group but just as Rwandian. Those people who did genocide are now friends, family and neighbours. This is just because of forgiveness. Hence no matter what happens again with us, we should always remember that we are accountable to one another, says Cedric, who is now a father of an eight-month-old son. While Umuhire, emphasises how better education and good leadership plays an important role for any country to develop it's fractured economy/stability and wants her child to dream big. "Education is very important. It's the tool that opens up one's mind and allows them to use their own judgement and make good decisions. Our people were taught hate through bad leadership which resulted in the murder of millions and left so many wounded for life but through education, people are now able to make better judgement calls and realise that what unites us is bigger than what separates us", Umuhire added. Both the survivors feel, they are proud of their country to which Victor Kgomoeswana, an author from Africa agrees and says, "Africa is the best run country by far. Evidence being its economy and political stability now." "We commemorate every year not to revenge but to tell the world that Rwandian is accountable for each other and can find a solution to its all problems," added Kgomoeswana.

Forgiveness is the only way forward for Rwanda genocide survivors

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