The International Residual Mechanism for the Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) has said that the case of Fulgence Kayishema, a Rwandan national who is suspected of a role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, is at a “stalemate.” Since his arrest in South Africa in May 2023, Kayishema, one of the most wanted Genocide fugitives on the run for nearly three decades, has yet to be tried. In South Africa, Kayishema, 64, also faces multiple charges related to fraud and violations of local immigration laws. ALSO READ: How Genocide fugitive Kayishema changed identity to elude capture “Two years after [Kayishema’s] arrest he remains in South Africa. In that time, a stalemate has developed,” Serge Brammertz, the IRMCT Chief Prosecutor told the UN Security Council on Wednesday, June 11, during a session on the mechanism’s activities. “In South Africa, matters remain much the same as they were two years ago,” Brammertz said. “Since his first appearance in court on 15 August 2023, the case has been repeatedly postponed, most recently until 30 July 2025.” ALSO READ: Tracking genocide fugitives: why so few have been tried He noted that it is “imperative” that Kayishema stands trial for his alleged crimes. He said the Genocide suspect should be transferred to the IRMCT custody in Arusha, Tanzania, from where he will be transferred to Rwanda. “The victims and survivors have waited more than thirty-one years now. They should not have to wait any longer,” said Brammertz. “South Africa should immediately execute the Mechanism’s Arrest Warrant and transfer Kayishema to the Mechanism’s custody. If it is unable to do so, it is obliged under the Genocide Convention to prosecute Kayishema in its courts.” ALSO READ: Where are the 1,100 Genocide fugitives? In both cases, he said his office believes that “the time has come for decisions to be made.” The UN prosecutor added: “The status quo is not sustainable. These matters need to be expeditiously brought to conclusion.” ALSO READ: Who are the three ICTR-indicted genocide fugitives still at large? ‘Delayed justice’ The IRMCT took over the mandate of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), which closed in 2015. In May 2024, the IRMCT confirmed dead the last two men out of 93 ICTR-indicted people wanted for their role in the Genocide against the Tutsi. Rwanda’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Martin Ngoga, told the Security Council that Rwanda is concerned about Kayishema’s “ongoing efforts to delay justice and avoid surrender to the Mechanism.” “We join Prosecutor Brammetz in calling for his immediate transfer into the Mechanism’s custody and emphasize the importance of ensuring that legal processes are not undermined,” Ngoga said.
