Rwanda’s Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Jean Damascène Bizimana, has dismissed claims that link the 1994 genocide against Tutsi to the downing of former President Juvénal Habyarimana’s plane.
Speaking during a televised program on Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (TVR), Bizimana emphasized that there is overwhelming evidence showing that the genocide had been planned well in advance of April 6, 1994.
He stated that attempts to portray the plane crash as the cause of the genocide are misleading and form part of broader efforts to distort history and promote genocide denial.
“Before the plane crash on April 6, 1994, there were already clear and undeniable signs showing that the genocide was being prepared.”
Bizimana explained that the organization, ideology, and logistics necessary to carry out the genocide had already been put in place prior to the assassination of President Habyarimana.
According to him, the crash of the plane did not trigger the genocide but instead served as a pretext used by perpetrators to rapidly implement a long-prepared plan.
He further noted that historical records, testimonies, and findings from international judicial bodies confirm that the genocide was systematic and premeditated.
Extremist leaders had already mobilized militias, compiled lists of victims, and spread propaganda aimed at inciting violence against the Tutsi population.
The Minister warned that narratives linking the genocide solely to the plane crash risk misleading the public, especially younger generations, and undermine efforts to preserve the truth about what happened in 1994.
He called on Rwandans and the international community to remain vigilant against genocide denial and revisionism, stressing the importance of education and remembrance.
The remarks come as Rwanda prepares for Kwibuka 32, marking 32 years since the genocide that claimed the lives of more than one million people.
Kwibuka, meaning “to remember,” officially begins on April 7 and is observed through a week of national mourning followed by 100 days of remembrance activities across the country.
Commemoration events include wreath-laying ceremonies, remembrance walks, survivor testimonies, and discussions aimed at educating the public about the history and consequences of genocide.
The period also serves as a time to support survivors, reflect on national unity, and renew the commitment to preventing genocide ideology.
As Rwanda marks Kwibuka 32, leaders continue to emphasize the importance of truth, remembrance, and collective responsibility in ensuring that such a tragedy never happens again.
By Andrew Shyaka
