Yesterday, at the French Cultural Center, Avant la nuit (Before the Night), a novel by journalist and author Maria Malagardis, was officially launched, reigniting discussions about the events leading up to the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.
The book, inspired by real events, has already drawn praise for its gripping storytelling and incisive historical critique.
Set in an unnamed African country—widely understood to be Rwanda—the novel begins in November 1993, with the mysterious murder of six children from the majority ethnic group.
Their deaths set off a chain of events that expose the political and ethnic tensions boiling beneath the surface.
Two UN investigators, Ben and Ousmane, struggle to untangle the crime, but their efforts are swallowed by an international system unwilling to confront the looming catastrophe.
Told through multiple perspectives, Avant la nuit paints a chilling picture of how colonial legacies, propaganda, and global indifference allowed a nation to descend into one of the worst atrocities of the 20th century.
It critiques the failures of the French government, the Catholic Church, and the United Nations, whose inaction contributed to the scale of the genocide.
Notably, Malagardis avoids explicitly naming “Tutsi” or “Hutu” for much of the novel, emphasizing the artificiality of the division and the broader, universal nature of mass violence.
The book’s release has sparked significant reactions, including from Rwanda’s First Lady, Jeannette Kagame.
In a message to Malagardis, she wrote:
“A huge thank you for being this voice of clarity and truth in an era where the deafening din of fake news, biased political interests, racism, and barbarism seeks to invade the media space. Thank you for making our story yours and for reminding us of the universal and human dimension of genocide.”
Malagardis, who covered the genocide in 1994, has long been recognized for her investigative work in Central Africa.
With Avant la nuit, published in 2024 by Talent Éditions, she blends thriller-like suspense with historical reflection, forcing readers to confront the ignored warnings and moral failures that paved the way for mass slaughter.
The novel’s release comes at a time of renewed global conversations about genocide, accountability, and the role of the international community in preventing atrocities.
Many in Rwanda and beyond hope that Malagardis’ work will serve as a reminder of the dangers of propaganda, ethnic scapegoating, and global apathy—lessons that remain as relevant today as they were three decades ago.
The launch was attended by several dignitaries including the First Lady and the Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Dr Damascene Bizimana.
