Rwanda’s High Commissioner to the UK, Johnston Busingye, this week visited the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and delivered a lecture on Rwanda's past and vision to the University community. The lecture addressed Rwanda's pre- and post-colonial story, the Genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda's transformation journey and contemporary challenges. In April 2022, the University issued an apology after inflammatory tweets from Deborah Kayembe, who holds the ceremonial position of University Rector. ALSO READ: Rwandan envoy responds to Edinburgh University on Genocide denier ALSO READ: University of Edinburgh rejects Kayembe’s genocide denial notions Peter Mathieson, the Principal of the University, in a response letter to High Commissioner Busingye recognised the hurt caused by the rector's statements, and the extreme hurt and pernicious destabilisation that genocide denialism can cause to all Rwandans. Mathieson wrote: We recognise that the genocide against the Tutsi is a fact of history and represents one of the most appalling crimes against humanity committed in the course of history. We reject outright the notion that President Kagame was in any way responsible. In fact, it is a historical fact that Paul Kagame led the liberation of Rwanda from the guilty regime.” In his presentation to the university students and staff, Busingye highlighted where Genocide denial and revisionism stems from, and how it can be challenged. “Denial is the final stage of Genocide. It is as much an offence as the Genocide itself. Deniers of the Genocide against Tutsi are mainly outside of Rwanda in places where denial is not a penal offence. We should all stand up to it,” Busingye said. “Last year we stood up to genocide denial by a member of the University of Edinburgh community.” He thanked Mathieson for his response at the time, distancing the University of Edinburgh from Kayembe's intentional outrage. “Genocide denial is not and should not be classified as free speech. In many European countries Holocaust denial is a crime, the Genocide against the Tutsi should have the same protections,” he said. “Denial is always connected to the perpetrators and ideologues of the Genocide. All of humanity should be on guard.” ALSO READ: Genocidaires’ sympathizers, so-called Western experts openly defend mass murderers – Rwandan envoy Explaining the genocidal FDLR militia in eastern DR Congo, and the threat it poses to Rwanda, Busingye said: “contrary to uninformed analysts who say that FDLR was diminished, it is still a security and ideological threat, until it is completely disarmed and demobilised.” “In a 2019-night attack on northern Rwanda FDLR killed 19 innocent citizens, and weeks before CHOGM 22 they shelled into Rwanda, with weapon systems they could only have acquired in very recent times. That certainly isn't evidence of being diminished! “We hope current political efforts in the region will start the process of uprooting the Genocide ideology prevalent in some communities in Eastern DRC and pacifying the area,” Busingye said, adding that a peaceful and developing eastern DR Congo is in the interest of all the region. The High Commissioner and Principal committed to strengthening ties between the University and Rwanda, and ensuring Rwandan students continue to be represented in the student body. Busingye’s visit to Scotland will conclude with an event organised by the Rwandan community in Scotland’s to commemorate the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
