Speaking at the inauguration of a monument in Paris honoring the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Rwandan President Paul Kagame commended French President Emmanuel Macron for what he described as “courage and humanity” in confronting France’s historical role in the tragedy.Kagame said acknowledging historical responsibilities requires immense courage, particularly in the face of strong opposition. He praised Macron for recognizing that France could have acted to stop the genocide but failed to do so.
Kagame noted that Macron’s remarks were “more valuable than an apology” because they represented the truth.The Rwandan leader also acknowledged the role of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy in beginning the process of reassessing France’s actions during the genocide. He stated that while the genocide was foreseeable and France was in a unique position to observe and respond, it took many years for France to come to terms with its role, causing additional pain for survivors.
Kagame added that although some survivors and advocates remain dissatisfied with aspects of the official record, the joint efforts of Rwanda and France have begun an irreversible journey toward truth. He further emphasized that France was not the only country that failed to prevent the genocide, but praised it for going further than others in acknowledging its responsibility and helping set the historical record straight.
