A Genocide convict and former leader in Victoire Ingabire's FDU-Inkingi party has recounted his involvement in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and how he fled the country and his subsequent involvement in groups that sought to destabilise Rwanda.

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Joseph Ntawangundi, who is serving a 17-year prison sentence for his role in the Genocide, gave the testimony on Wednesday, October 28, at Nyamasheke Correctional Facility, where he and 532 other convicts completed a reintegration programme.

Ntawangundi said he had pleaded guilty for responsibility for participating in the killings of Tutsi and sought forgiveness from victims, who granted it.

"I acknowledge and take full responsibility for the heinous crime I committed, the killing of Tutsi. I sought forgiveness from the victims, and they granted it; I wish to thank them once again for the spirit of forgiveness they have shown me,” he said.

He committed the crimes at Ecole Agricole et Vétérinaire (EAV) Gitwe, a school of agriculture and animal husbandry in Rukira Sector, Ngoma District, where he worked as educator.

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Links to FDU-Inkingi

Ntawangundi said his involvement in serious crimes continued after the Genocide, when he fled Rwanda and joined groups opposed to the government. The groups sought to destabilise the country, overthrow the government and tarnishing its international reputation.

"Specifically, I joined the FDU-Inkingi group, which is part of the RNC coalition. I served as one of the leaders of the FDU in France, where I was residing at the time,” he said.

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FDU-Inkingi party was led by Victoire Ingabire, who later founded DALFA-Umurinzi in 2019 after her release from prison. Ingabire, who was previously convicted of denying the Genocide, is currently facing justice over accusations of plotting to overthrow the government and links to anti-Rwanda militias. She is also accused of forming or joining a criminal organisation, conspiring to commit offences against the government, inciting unrest and spreading harmful information intended to damage Rwanda’s international image.

Prosecutors have further alleged links between FDU-Inkingi and the P5 coalition, whose members are under sanctions over terrorist activities.

Ntawangundi returned to Rwanda alongside Ingabire on January 16, 2010, but was arrested less than a month later.

"On February 8, 2010, I was arrested and imprisoned. On March 24, 2010, before the Gacaca court of Rukira Sector, I made a firm decision to never again associate with extremists, regardless of where they may come from,” he said.

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Commitment to change

Ntawangundi said his time in jail and the lessons he received during reintegration training had had a lasting impact on him.

"I have committed to a genuine transformation, to speaking the truth, and to living with integrity. The Rwanda Correctional Service has been instrumental in this process,” he said.

He called on fellow inmates to support government programmes aimed at fostering unity among Rwandans, respect the country's leadership and help rebuild what they had destroyed with their crimes.

"There is nothing good in divisions, nothing good in hatred, and nothing good in discrimination. Genocide should never again,” he said.

Ntawangundi also pledged to inform authorities if he became aware of threats to national security.