This is a historic trip for Emmanuel Macron, who will travel to Kigali on Thursday 27 May. He is only the second French president to travel to Rwanda since the Tutsi genocide in 1994. After a long stormy relationship, the two countries have moved closer in the past three years. The head of state’s program promises to be busy in the capital. Many Rwandans are hoping for an apology from France after the events of 1994.
With our special correspondent in Kigali, Pierre Firtion
On Thursday, May 26, before flying to Rwanda, Emmanuel Macron confided in his “deep conviction” of his visit: the French president is convinced that a “new page in our history with Rwanda and Africa” will be written. In Kigali, he will hold a press conference with Paul Kagamé, before an interview and lunch between the two men.
When I take off for Kigali, I have a deep conviction: in the next few hours, we will be writing a new page in our relationship with Rwanda and Africa.
– Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) May 26, 2021
But the highlight of this day takes place in the middle of the morning, with the visit of Gisozi Genocide Memorial. Built from 1999, the memorial was inaugurated five years later. Outside, under high concrete slabs, more than 250,000 people were buried.
Inside, a museum traces the history of the Tusti genocide. From the rise of hatred to the massacres, photos and videos tell of the horror experienced in the spring of 1994. Some images are also reminiscent of the French support given to the power of time. And for the guide Serge Rwigamba, without a doubt: “France has played a role of responsibility.”
“There is a need to put into words the exact role of France”
At the end of this visit, Emmanuel Macron will give a long-awaited speech. Will he apologize, as the United States, Belgium, the United Nations, or the Catholic Church have done in the past? The question is currently unanswered. His entourage skillfully retains the mystery.
What we do know is that the president will give a speech in about twenty minutes. An intervention he has, it is said, has consulted much, especially African intellectuals. His message will be addressed to the victims of the Tutsi genocide and to the survivors. “There is a need to put into words the exact role of France during this period from 90 to 94,” an adviser to the French president explained.
This desire is particularly felt within Ibuka Rwanda, the main organization for genocide survivors. Egide Nkuranga, its president, confidence Laure broulard: “He might be able to ask for forgiveness on behalf of France.” (…) That’s all we expect. And the rest will continue. “The rest” is the pursuit of justice: the survivors want the prosecution of genocide refugees in France to be expedited and the Duclert report to serve as a basis for any complaints against French officials at that time.
The Duclert Commission has turned things upside down
During a visit to Rwanda in 2010, Nicolas Sarkozy had acknowledged “serious errors of appreciation” on the part of France, “political errors” and a “form of blindness”. Freddy Mutanguha, the director of the Gisozi Memorial, had shown him pictures of French support for the former Juvénal Habyarimana regime. “He listened but did not no commentsHe remembers.
Emmanuel Macron will he go further? Everything leads to believe it, because in the meantime the situation has changed: the Commission of Historians led by Vincent Duclert recently concluded Paris’ heavy and overwhelming responsibility in the genocide of Tutsi.
What the French president says – or does not say – greets Senator André Twahirwa Laure Broulard’s microphone as a major step forward for the two countries: “This visit would be enough in itself. It’s not just symbolic. At this level, a visit is worth a political act. I think this is a really big step. It is the end of a mediation process and the start of a co-operation process in all areas. ”
Freddy Mutanguha also praises the great progress made by Paris and Kigali, but still hopes that an apology will be formulated this Thursday by the French president: “That would be good.” But if an apology does not come now, the memory director hopes that it will be presented in the future.
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