The Duclert report officially submitted to
The Duclert Commission’s report was officially handed over to President Paul Kagame on Friday, April 9 by Vincent Duclert himself. The text concludes that France has a heavy and overwhelming responsibility in the genocide of Tutsi, but excludes the idea of complicity in the genocide. The French historian assured that he came as an independent researcher with no official assignment other than to present the work done. He spoke extensively with the Rwandan president and several ministers in Kigali. The committee’s report seems to have been well received there.
as reported from Kigali, Laure broulard
At the foot of the steps in the village of Urugwiro, the Rwandan presidency, Vincent Duclert describes a welcoming Paul Kagame and highly praised French historians, leaving his interview with the feeling of a shared vision.
“What we state in the report, these overwhelming areas of responsibility, is also exactly what Paul Kagame and the Rwandans know, and there we spoke basically the same language, we developed the same facts, we shared a lot,” Vincent Duclert indicates.
Exact historical events, some of which do not appear in the report, were mentioned during the interview. On Rwanda’s side, Foreign Minister Vincent Birutasalue also has a common understanding of the past.
“Understanding the past means that you can build a future together based on historical facts and this report will contribute a lot to that. We hope that this will enable the establishment of a healthy and positive relationship between France and Rwanda, the Rwandan Minister emphasized.
The publication of the Duclert report comes in connection with a warming of complicated diplomatic relations between France and Rwanda. However, conditions that are still not normalized, the post of French Ambassador to Kigali has been vacant since 2015.
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