Aurélie Royet-Gounin, the newly appointed French Ambassador to Rwanda, has reaffirmed that the fight against impunity remains a central pillar of Rwanda–France cooperation, particularly regarding the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Speaking on Thursday, September 18, during a capacity-building workshop for journalists on Justice and Memory, organized in partnership with Pax Press, Gounin stressed France’s commitment not only to ensuring justice for genocide crimes but also to combating hate speech and the resurgence of genocide ideology. “It is clearly a priority for us, the fight against impunity, the fight against those who committed the Genocide against the Tutsi, and the fight against hate speech and revisionism,” she said. ALSO READ: France promises to try a genocide suspect every six months The envoy pointed to the ongoing trial of Sosthène Munyemana in France as evidence of this commitment. She also emphasized the critical role of journalists in covering such cases, noting that their work is essential in educating communities and safeguarding memory. “The work of journalists is essential,” she said. “On the one hand, to preserve memory and ensure justice, but also to protect the future by countering hate speech and revisionism. Workshops like this one allow journalists to deepen their knowledge of genocide cases, understand universal jurisdiction, and gain the technical expertise needed to report accurately.” ALSO READ: Genocide: French court set to begin appeal trial of “Butcher of Tumba” The envoy underlined that the fight against impunity is also closely tied to the broader normalisation of relations between Rwanda and France, reinforced by French President Emmanuel Macron’s historic 2021 visit to Kigali. She further outlined her wider priorities as she settles into her new role, less than two weeks after assuming office. These include strengthening political dialogue, regional cooperation, health initiatives, gender equality, and economic ties. “We have very rich and intensive cooperation. Beyond history and justice, we are working on projects in health, gender equality, and economic development. The list of areas we want to boost is long,” she added. Judicial cooperation and upcoming trials Col Gil Chevallier, Internal Security Attaché at the French Embassy in Kigali, also addressed the workshop. He explained that judicial cooperation between France and Rwanda has been key to the prosecution of genocide-related cases. Investigators from the Office for Crimes against Humanity (OCLCH) regularly conduct missions to Rwanda, working closely with the National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA) to identify and interview witnesses. Chevallier revealed that three trials are scheduled in France for 2026. Claude Muhayimana’s appeal trial is due in February. In 2021, Muhayimana was sentenced to 14 years in prison by France’s Cour d’Assises for complicity in genocide and crimes against humanity committed in Karongi, Gitwa, and Bisesero. He was released under judicial supervision in 2023 pending appeal. Dr. Eugène Rwamucyo’s appeal trial is due in June–July. In October 2024, the Cour d’Assises de Paris sentenced him to 27 years in prison after finding him guilty of genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, and crimes against humanity. There's also Safari Madjaliwa’s first-instance trial due in November–December. He also highlighted other high-profile cases, including that of Félicien Kabuga, the alleged financier of the genocide, who was arrested in France in 2020 but later declared unfit to stand trial by international courts. While some countries refused to host Kabuga, Rwanda has expressed readiness to take him back as a citizen. Other cases include that of Agathe Kanziga, the widow of former President Juvénal Habyarimana, after French prosecutors appealed a decision not to try her, and the revocation of burial authorization for Protais Zigiranyirazo, the former Prefect of Ruhengeri, at Paris’s municipal cemetery. Chevallier reiterated that France does not tolerate impunity and will continue to work hand in hand with Rwanda to ensure accountability.
