The French Head of State, Emmanuel Macron, acknowledged France’s responsibilities in the genocide against the Tutsis and asked for forgiveness from genocide survivors on Thursday 27 May at the Gisozi memorial site. The foundations of a solid bilateral cooperation were thus laid.
In Gisozi, at the memorial of genocide against the Tutsi, the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, acknowledged France’s responsibilities in the genocide perpetrated against the Tutsi in clear, unequivocal language.
“By standing, with humility and respect, at your side, today, I come to acknowledge the extent of our responsibilities,” said President Emmanuel Macron at the Gisozi memorial site. He had just laid a wreath of flowers and bowed to the victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis who are buried there.
In acknowledging France’s responsibilities, President Macron also asked for forgiveness from genocide survivors. “Only those who have gone through the night can perhaps forgive, give us the gift of forgiveness,” he asked.
He promised to continue the search for the truth, wishing that all stakeholders open all archives. The justice that Rwanda values so much will also be pursued. “Acknowledging this past is also and above all continuing the work of justice. By committing ourselves to ensure that no one suspected of genocide crimes can escape justice,” said President Macron.
He launched on the hill of Gisozi, a message of hope for the future of youth. “I want here, on this day, to assure Rwandan youth that another meeting is possible,” he said. “Without erasing anything from our past, there is an opportunity for a respectful, lucid, supportive and mutually demanding alliance between the youth of Rwanda and the youth of France,” he said.
A strong Franco-Rwandan bilateral relationship…
President Paul Kagame, at a press conference that followed, promised that Rwanda will be a strong partner of France. “France and Rwanda are going to relate much better, to the benefit of both our peoples, economically, politically, and in terms of culture,” said President Paul Kagame.
“We wish to form a strong and sustainable relationship, based on priorities that matter to both Rwanda and France,” added the Rwandan Head of State.
Among these priorities, President Paul Kagame cited investment, digitalization, gender equality, climate change, cultural exchange, support for entrepreneurship, small businesses, start-ups, and especially youth empowerment. “Rwanda shall be a strong partner in all these areas,” Paul Kagame pledged. He thus turned his gaze towards a brighter future for the youth of both countries, after the signing of several bilateral cooperation agreements. Gérard Rugambwa
