IN a press conference held in Kigali on Monday, Rwandan President Paul Kagame expressed profound concern over the United States’ reluctance to refer to the 1994 massacre as a genocide specifically targeting the Tutsi population. Kagame’s criticism followed remarks made by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken during a commemorative event.
Blinken’s message, shared on a social media platform X, mourned the loss of ‘many thousands of Tutsis, Hutus, Twas, and others whose lives were lost during 100 days of unspeakable violence.’
However, this generalisation drew sharp criticism from Rwandans, including Kagame, who emphasised the omission of acknowledging the genocide’s specific targeting of the Tutsis.
‘The failure to recognise the genocide against the Tutsi is deeply concerning and disappointing,’ President Kagame stated during the conference. ‘It’s crucial to acknowledge the truth and accurately characterise the atrocities that occurred.’
The controversy escalated as Kagame revealed discussions with former US President Bill Clinton during the 30th-anniversary event of the genocide. Kagame stressed his disappointment, particularly considering past understandings between Rwandan and US authorities to refrain from critique during the genocide anniversary.
‘The failure to address this issue undermines the memory of the victims and the efforts to prevent such atrocities in the future,’ Kagame remarked.
The dispute over terminology stems partly from allegations against the Rwandan Patriotic Army, accused of carrying out retaliatory killings during and after the genocide. Kagame has vehemently denied these allegations in the past.
In his address during the commemoration, Kagame lamented the intentional vagueness surrounding the genocide’s targets, denouncing it as a form of denial and a crime in itself. He asserted that Rwanda would persist in challenging such narratives.
‘Rwanda will continue to demand recognition and justice for the victims of the genocide,’ Kagame affirmed.
Rwanda has commenced a week of national mourning and 100 days of remembrance to mark the 30th anniversary of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. The Rwandan government estimates that over 1 million people lost their lives during this tragic period.