Editor,

Allow me to comment on the story "Genocide fugitive to be deported from the US” that appeared in your newspaper yesterday. The action taken by the US government to deport Jean Marie Vianney Mudahinyuka, a genocide suspect is, indeed commendable by any law abiding citizen.

It demonstrates one clear point that the United Sates government does not want to be used as safe haven by genocide suspects or any wrongdoer.

Many countries both in Europe and Africa have been accused by Rwanda and International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) for doing nothing to arrest genocide suspects hiding in their countries.

Despite numerous requests for legal procedures to be followed, nothing has been done by some countries. Instead, many genocide suspects continue to live comfortable lives in exile. However, it becomes betrayal of the highest level when African countries, block the extradition of these suspects. 

Such inaction from African states at a time when some Western countries seem to be finally willing to put an end to the genocidaires’ impunity is indeed heartbreaking.

What is clear is that in comparison to how the West has dealt with requests from Rwandan government, African countries are still dragging their feet.
According to ICTR mandate, African states have an obligation to work with Rwanda’s Genocide Fugitive Tracking Unit of the National Public Prosecuting Authority (NPPA) to track down all genocide suspects.

Like Mudahinyuka, many Rwandans who committed genocide are already on the Interpol list and there is no reason why they should not be arrested.

Eugene Ruliisa
Kigali