Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ France faces accusations of complicity in Rwanda’s 1994 genocide, where extremist Hutus targeted Tutsis and moderate Hutus, in a historic and emotionally charged case. Survivor organizations presented their case in the Paris Administrative Court on Thursday, marking the first time an administrative court will examine France’s potential involvement in the atrocities.
The plaintiffs argue that France implicitly supported the genocidal events through a military cooperation agreement, clandestine arms supplies, and the abandonment of civilian populations. They seek $540 million in damages, asserting that the French state, by supporting Rwanda‘s Hutu-led government, tacitly allowed the 100-day massacre that claimed over a million lives. Survivors are hopeful that the hearing will finally hold France accountable after previous criminal trials failed to secure any indictments.
France’s defense counters these allegations by asserting that the court lacks the jurisdiction to judge the case. The state maintains that French administrative law could not deem any decisions made in this context as criminal. Nonetheless, this hearing is considered a significant breakthrough for survivors, who contend that France’s military and political aid emboldened the extremist government during the slaughter.
The tragic genocide concluded when the Rwanda Patriotic Front, a Tutsi-led resistance under Paul Kagame, successfully overtook the Hutu-led forces, driving many into exile. Now Rwandan President Kagame has long criticized the international community, including France, for turning a blind eye during the genocide. President Emmanuel Macron has admitted that France and its allies could have stopped the genocide but lacked the will.
With the court’s ruling set for November 14, this unprecedented case could redefine France’s historical accountability in one of Africa’s darkest chapters and, for survivors, deliver long-awaited acknowledgement and justice.
