Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 18 May 2020: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission,Moussa Faki Mahamat welcomes the news of the landmark arrest of Félicien Kabuga, considered to be the financier of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda in 1994. Kabuga was arrested in France on 16 May 2020 after 23 years on the run from justice.
Félicien Kabuga was indicted by the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in 1997 on seven counts of genocide, complicity in genocide, direct and public incitement to commit genocide, attempt to commit genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, persecution and extermination, all in relation to crimes committed during the Genocide against the Tutsis.
The arrest is in line with decision of the AU Peace and Security Council at its 836th meeting held on 3rd April 2019, calling on all AU Member States and Members of the International Community to arrest, prosecute or extradite fugitives accused of genocide.
This clarion call was reaffirmed by the Resolution 74/273 of the United Nations General Assembly during its 74th Session on 20 April 2020 in which UN Member States are urged to investigate, arrest, prosecute or extradite all remaining genocide fugitives.
This latest development is, indeed, a milestone in our collective efforts to ensure that such heinous crimes against humanity never happen again. The Chairperson implores the international community to redouble its efforts to fight the ideology of genocide, denialism and impunity.
The Chairperson seizes this opportunity to encourage the continuation of collective efforts and cooperation of all AU Member States and the International Community for the arrest of the remaining fugitives that are still at large. Let us ensure justice is served for the victims and survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
