Nobody should shield Rwandan genocide suspects

Editor, I read with shock from several local and international newspapers, this week, about comments by the chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) in Tanzania that the Zimbabwean government was protecting 1994 genocide suspect, Potrais Mpiranya. I was shocked because I can’t imagine an African state protecting suspects who are accused of committing such crimes against fellow Africans. I have no doubt about Jallow’s statement because by the time he complains through the media, the country must have refused to cooperate. I expect, following Jallow’s petition to the United Nations, Zimbabwe to cooperate and arrest Mpiranya, extradited him to either Rwanda or Arusha to face trial. Genocide survivors in Rwanda have chilling stories about Mpiranya, who was the commander of the Rwandan Presidential Guard. He is remembered as a notorious murderer who led several Interahamwe militias and killed many Tutsis. Reports that the genocide suspect has built up businesses in Harare and is heavily protected are very worrying. Worrying because governments have a duty to cooperate and help apprehend all suspects residing in their countries. Frank RuliisaKigali

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Nobody should shield Rwandan genocide suspects