French group pays tribute to Genocide victims

MURAMBI - A delegation of people from France on Friday visited Murambi Genocide Memorial Site to pay tribute to the over 50.000 people who died as French soldiers watched. They are on a mission to acknowledge the role of France in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The 12-some entourage made up of members of “Intore za Dieulefit”, an association of residents from the Southern France town of Dieulefit who admit the role of France in the Genocide, is also in the country to seek forgiveness from Rwandan’s on behalf of other innocent Frenchmen and women not buying into France’s denial propaganda. Shortly after visiting the Memorial Site in the Southern District of Nyamagabe, the leader and founder of the group, Dr. Anne Marie Truc, said that it’s ‘unfortunate’ that France, to-date, has refused to admit its role in the Genocide by conspiring with the then government to massacre over one million Tutsi. “As a French citizen, I think my country is very guilty of its position in the Genocide, the reason they keep denying and to me it’s unfair that all of us are judged by the government stand. As humans we understand the pain this country went through and it hurts us to know that our country played an active role, that’s the message we have brought,” Truc said. According to Dr. Truc, the group with more than 30 members, all French citizens, started two years ago and has since been sensitising Frenchmen about their country’s active role in the 1994 Genocide and calling upon them to seek forgiveness from the millions of Rwandans devastated by the genocide. According to Truc, thousands of people in France are not aware of their country’s role in the Genocide because the government has systematically managed to keep the details away from the people. She says that the association plans to spread the message to those who might not be aware. “What we have seen here (Murambi) should be seen by all Frenchmen as proof that our country indeed was cruel to humanity. Personally, I am touched by this sight and I regret the fact that my country had a hand in it, it’s very unfortunate,” said Marguerite Carbonare. Carbonare is the widow of Jean Carbonare, a French Human rights activist whose warning in 1992 of a possible Genocide in Rwanda was ignored by the world. Murambi was the headquarters of the infamous Operation Tourquoise, of 2,500 French troops who came into the country as the situation deteriorated in pretext of stopping the genocide but instead aided militias to carryout operations. The operation concentrated in the Gikongoro, Cyangugu and Butare areas. According to Dr. Ezechias Rwabuhihi, one of the many Rwandan advisors of the group, the association be coming to visit Rwanda regularly to join Rwandans to remember the Genocide and also engage in initiatives to support Genocide Survivors. It has already started a Rwf3.5m pig rearing project in Huye District and will give away 50 cows to survivors in Bisesero and 3 other Sectors in Karongi District during the 4 day trip to the former Operation Tourquoise Zone. According to Truc, the group wants to concentrate its activities in the area because it is synonymous with French participation. The projects are funded by individual contributions and fundraising proceeds in French communities. Dr. Truc, who was Carbonare’s personal doctor, said she developed the idea after he was encouraged by Carbonare, who passed away early this year, to come to Rwanda and consider doing something to change the negative image of the French. Carbonare is remembered for strongly urging the international community to act, mentioning that ‘Genocide’ was eminent in Rwanda, in 1993. He was part of the commission that investigated earlier killings in Rwanda which Juvenal Habyarimana’s government used as ‘pilot projects’ before a large scale Genocide of the Tutsi could be carried out. Ends