May 5, 1994: Catholic nun’s letter leads to massacre of Tutsi refugees at Sovu Monastery

On May 5, as the Tutsi continued to be murdered across the country, a Catholic nun called Sister Gertrude Mukangango, who was head of Sovu Monastery in Huye district, caused the death of many Tutsi who were hiding there when she wrote a letter to the Mayor of Huye, Jonathan Ruremesha, asking for their removal since the monastery did not have the resources to sustain them. ALSO READ: May 4, 1994: Students accused of listening to Inkotanyi songs on Radio Muhabura, murdered These Tutsi had survived earlier massacres that had taken place at the facility on April 22 and 25. As of April 17, 1994, more than 10,000 Tutsi had taken refuge in various buildings of the monastery. A number of them were murdered between April 22 and 25, though there were many who escaped. The letter that the nun wrote to the mayor read (as translated to English): Subject: Appeal to the authorities Mr. Mayor of Huye Commune, BUTARE In recent weeks, some people have come to the Sovu Monastery as regular visitors for less than a week, most of them on official missions, while others have come to rest or pray. After the war that has ravaged the country started, there have been others who have come unexpectedly and they do not want to leave. In addition, we don’t have enough resources to support them. I have been asking for days for the communal authorities to come and order them to go back home, or go elsewhere they want to live, because here in the Monastery we do not have any resources left. I strongly request you, Mr. Mayor, to please help us on the matter not later than May, 1994, so that we can resume the usual work of the Monastery without any disturbance. We pray to God to protect you. Head of Sovu Monastery. Sister Gertrude Consolata MUKANGAGO After receiving the letter, the mayor brought police officers and Interahamwe to kill the Tutsi refugees who were the only ones left at Sovu Monastery. ALSO READ: May 3, 1994: Students, children take part in Genocide Sister Gertrude was an extremist who had taken part in earlier attacks against the Tutsi, specifically the killings that took place on April 22 at the Monastery, where she, alongside her counterpart Sister Kizito (Julienne Mukabutera) supplied two jerry cans of fuel and actively played part as Interahamwe burned the Tutsi who were hiding in the monastery’s garage. About 7,000 people died that day. After the Genocide, Sister Gertrude was tried for the crimes in Belgium in 2001 and admitted that she was the one who showed the Interahamwe the rooms where the Tutsi were hiding. ALSO READ: May 2, 1994: Plot to attack refugees at Hotel des Mille Collines foiled She was sentenced to 15 years in prison in Belgium while Sister Kizito was sentenced to 12 years in prison. After serving their sentence, they settled in Maredret Monastery, Belgium. Meanwhile, on the same day (May 5, 1994), Radio RTLM broadcasted a series of messages and speeches urging all Hutu Power leaders, political, military, policemen, and Interahamwe to speed up their efforts to kill Tutsi wherever they were. ALSO READ: May 1, 1994: Genocide enters new month with continuing atrocities The radio’s message was followed by extremist songs aimed at stirring the minds of the public. RTLM reporters also broadcasted messages from all over the country about the status of killings and acknowledging the work being done by killers who were “killing the accomplices of the enemy.”

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May 5, 1994: Catholic nun’s letter leads to massacre of Tutsi refugees at Sovu Monastery