By BIZIMANA Jean Damascène*
Kigali, April 20 (RNA) – On April 20, 1994, the criminal government continued to implement their plan to exterminate Tutsi in all regions of the country. In the context of continuing to recall the history of the Genocide, this document points out some of the locations where Tutsi massacre took place on this date in 1994.
1. President Theodor Sindikubwabo and his government continued to incite Hutus to exterminate Tutsis
On April 20, 1994, the former president of the criminal government visited Ndora and Shyanda communes in Gisagara to urge Hutus to exterminate Tutsis. On the same day in Butare town, Prefect Nsabimana, who was inaugurated by Sindikubwabo the previous night, held a meeting which aimed at planning how the Genocide was to be carried out in Butare prefecture.
2. The assassination of Queen Rosalie Gicanda in Butare
It was on April 20, 1994 that Queen Rosalie Gicanda got murdered. Queen Rosalie Gicanda was killed at the instructions of Captain Ildephonse Nizeyimana at the military training school called the “École des Sous-Officiers” (ESO) in Butare. During the genocide, Nizeyimana joined militaries who were involved in the killings, including Lt. Colonel Muvunyi Tharcisse and soldiers from Ngoma military base commanded by Lieutenant Ildephonse Hategekimana and Gendarmery led by Major Cyriaque Habyarabatuma as well as Interahamwe.
Captain Nizeyimana instructed the soldiers to kill Queen Rosalie Gicanda at her home which was near Ngoma Commune office. Those who went there include Lieutenant Bizimana, nicknamed “Rwatsi”, Lieutenant Gakwerere, Corporal Aloys Mazimpaka, and Dr. Kageruka. Other victims were identified as Jean Damascène Paris, Alphonse Sayidiya, Marie Gasibirege, Aurelie Mukaremera and Callixte Kayigamba.
Captain Nizeyimana was convicted of genocide crime by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) and sentenced to 35 years in prison. Lt. Colonel Muvunyi was convicted of genocide crime and sentenced to 15 years in prison.
3. Massacre of Tutsi at Mugombwa church, Gisagara
Tutsi refugees from the former Muganza, Kibayi and Nyaruhengeri communes as well as those who lived on Nyange hill near Kabogobogo River took refuge at Mugombwa church between April 19 and 20, 1994 in Gisagara. The head Priest Titiano PAGOLALO (Italian), confined Tutsi inside the Church, and padlocked all doors and handed the keys to the famous killer businessman in Mugombwa center called BYIYINGOMA. When Interahamwe and the military arrived at the church, they demolished the church gates using guns and grenades and then burnt the church with fuel. Approximately 26,700 Tutsis were killed at Mugombwa parish.
The perpetrators of the killings were NDAYAMBAJE Elie, former Bourgmestre of Muganza Commune, SINGIRANKABO Viateur who was the Councilor, RWAKARONKANO, BYIYINGOMA, BIGIRIMANA Petero, MUKUNDIYE Yohani (the head of the Interahamwe), KABIRIGI Antoine, HABIYAMBERE Céléstin, MBARUSHIMANA Emmanuel, MUNYANEZA Théobald and many others. Additionally, Burundian Hutu refugees who lived in the camp (Saga Cell), also played a key role in the massacre of Mugombwa Tutsis.
Burundian refugees who committed the genocide were supported by a Belgian Brother called Constant Julius GOETSCHALCKX also called Stan from the Charity Brothers, “Frères de la Charite” of the “Groupe Scolaire” of Butare. The Brother was a close friend to the Bourgmestre NDAYAMBAJE and NYIRAMASUHUKO and also testified at the ICTR in 2008 in their favour. Brother Stan was involved with the killers of Tutsi refugees in Mugombwa Church. In July 1994, Brother Stan left Rwanda for Kigoma, Tanzania to establish a Rwandan refugee school.
A report by the United Nations experts released in November, 2009 (S / 2009/603) identified brother Stan as one of the religious who continued to support the FDLR in its plan to destabilize Rwanda. Elie NDAYAMBAJE has been sentenced to 47 years in prison by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.
4. Massacre of Tutsi in Busekanka, Nkanka Sector, Rusizi
Busekanka is near Lake Kivu, on the port from Nkanka to Nkombo and in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Tutsis were killed while fleeing to Zaire, while others were taken from their homes to be killed at the lake. There was no roadblock at the site, but the Interahamwe would shout and go to the site immediately whenever they saw Tutsis fleeing.
The first Tutsis were killed from April 20, 1994 till the end of May 1994 in Busekanka. The local Interahamwe massacred Tutsis with immense cruelty: they tied their legs and arms and threw them in Kivu, others cut off their legs and took out their eyes and then throw them alive to watch how they die.
5. Tutsi killed in RUTABO at CND, KINAZI Sector, Ruhango
There was a huge pit in which Tutsis were thrown both dead and alive. The pit was excavated near Rutabo Primary School by a teacher named NSABIMANA Jacques who was the president of the CDR in Ntongwe commune, which he called as a toilet pit. Tutsis who were killed at the school site were from Ntongwe, Mugina, Bugesera communes and elsewhere. After killing them they were thrown into a pit with others who were killed at various roadblocks and the surroundings. The pit was called CND to mean that they should join their Inkotanyi relatives who lived at CND Kigali.
They were killed by gendarmes, Interahamwe and Burundian refugees who were in Nyagahama camp. Some of the perpetrators included the Bourgmestre of Ntongwe commune Charles KAGABO and the president of the CDR, NSABIMANA Jacques and others.
6. Tutsi killed at the Nyumba Catholic parish, Gishamvu Commune, Butare
At Gishamvu there was Nyumba Parish, Major Seminary of Nyakibanda, Gishamvu commune, and Busoro “sous prefecture”. This commune is the birthplace of Jean Kambanda, the former prime minister of criminal government. Tutsi refugees came from Kigembe, Runyinya, Nyakizu, Rwamiko, Mubuga and Gishamvu communes. Between 25,000 and 30,000 Tutsis were shot dead by guns which were located on the hills opposite Nyakibanda.
Noticeable in the killings were KAMBANDA Pascal, Bourgmestre of Gishamvu Commune, SIMBARIKURE Assiel (Busoro Sous prefet), NZAVUGEJO Pierre Céléstin, Assistant Medical Officer at Busoro Health Center, KUBWIMANA Laurent (a teacher) who during genocide became the sous prefect. NSHIMIYIMANA Alexis from Gisenyi who worked for MINITRAPE, IYAMUREMYE Vianney who distributed a lot of axes to the population, GATABAZI Evariste a driver at the commune, KUBWIMANA nicknamed Cyuma, Gishamvu Councilor, NYAMWASA Joseph (a police officer), USHIZIMPUMU Jean, Shori councilor, NAMAHUNGU Martin ( a security guard at the Post office), MURARA Gabriel a medical doctor in Butare, members of Twa tribe from kibuye cya Shari led by TABARO, BARIRWANDA Marc who worked at the Bank of Kigali and his young brother NDAYISENGA Samuel as well as SEKIMONYO who owned a gun and shot many Tutsis.
Tutsi priests, Tutsi seminarists and Tutsi refugees who had taken refuge at Major Seminary of Nyakibanda were killed. Among the perpetrators was Father Tadeyo Rusingizandekwe, a native of Kibeho, and was a professor at Major Seminary of Nyakibanda
Conclusion
Genocide against the Tutsis was planned and implemented by the Government. The fact that Tutsis were killed from the morning of April 7, 1994 across the country, it is undeniable that it was a government’s planned agenda. (End).
* BIZIMANA Jean Damascène, Executive Secretary National Commission for the Fight Against Genocide (CNLG)