Rwandan President Paul Kagame has addressed the shortcomings of the West, particularly the United Nations (UN) and France, regarding the Rwandan genocide of 1994, which began 30 years ago this week.
Kagame recounted a personal tragedy involving his cousin, Florence Ngirumpatse, who served as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) director of personnel. During the genocide, Ngirumpatse, along with other Tutsi colleagues, fell victim to betrayal by a fellow UN employee, Callixte Mbarushimana. Despite efforts to save her, Ngirumpatse was ultimately killed, along with her family, except for one niece who managed to escape.
Kagame expressed his frustration with the UN’s failure to intervene, recalling a conversation with General Roméo Dallaire, the commander of the UN peacekeeping mission in Rwanda at the time. Despite Kagame’s pleas for assistance, Dallaire was unable to rescue Ngirumpatse and others due to logistical constraints.
Kagame also addressed the French government’s involvement in the genocide, criticizing its lack of action to halt the massacres. He revealed a warning from the French, delivered through Dallaire, urging Kagame’s Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) to avoid certain areas occupied by France or face severe consequences. Despite these threats, Kagame’s forces ultimately prevailed, securing Butare and restoring order to the country.
Overall, Kagame’s remarks underscore the deep pain and frustration experienced by Rwandans due to the failures of the international community during one of the darkest chapters in Rwanda’s history.
