Rwanda, chronique d’un génocide annoncé

Introduction to the Documentary

This section introduces the documentary, which focuses on the 25th anniversary of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda in 1994. The documentary aims to investigate the role played by France in these tragic events.

Investigating France's Role in the Genocide

• The documentary is an exclusive investigation that spans several months.

• Michael Sztanke, the investigator, returns to Rwanda to gather testimonies from both perpetrators and high-ranking French officials.

• The documentary seeks to understand if France knowingly ignored the risk of genocide and facilitated the escape of Hutu government responsible for the massacres.

• It explores the responsibility of various actors involved in this tragedy.

Music Interlude

French Military Intervention

This section highlights the intervention of the French army after two months of massacres and under UN mandate.

• After two months of massacres, with a death toll reaching ten thousand per day, the French army intervenes.

• Seven former Hutu militiamen are sentenced to seven years in prison for genocide crimes.

France's Association with Rwandan Tragedy

This section questions why France's name has been associated with the Rwandan tragedy for 25 years and explores its role.

• The documentary raises questions about why France has been linked to the Rwandan tragedy for so long.

• It reveals that secrets held by French authorities are only starting to be unveiled.

Historical Background and Franco-Rwandan Relations

This section provides historical context regarding tensions between Hutus and Tutsis and the role of France in supporting the Hutu regime.

• The hatred between Hutus and Tutsis dates back to the colonial period when Belgium imposed Tutsi dominance.

• After Rwanda gained independence, the majority Hutus took power, leading to persecution, expulsion, and massacres of Tutsis.

• The Rwandan Patriotic Front (FPR), supported by Anglo-Saxon countries, was formed by Tutsi exiles in Uganda.

• France aligned itself with the Francophone Hutus and provided unconditional support to President Juvénal Habyarimana's regime.

Geopolitical Motivations

This section explores France's geopolitical motivations for its involvement in Rwanda.

• France aimed to counter Anglophone influence in the Great Lakes region by supporting Habyarimana's regime.

• Controlling access to Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo) through Rwanda would provide significant geopolitical advantages for France.

Intensified Cooperation and Military Assistance

This section discusses the intensification of cooperation between France and Rwanda, including military assistance.

• From 1990 to 1993, cooperation between France and Rwanda increased significantly.

• French soldiers were deployed in Rwanda, training Rwandan soldiers and providing military assistance.

• Some French officers even took command positions within the Rwandan army.

Warning Signs of Genocide

This section highlights early warnings of genocide and a high-ranking military officer's testimony.

• In 1991, General Jean Varrettes warned about the risk of genocide during a meeting with gendarmes.

• He refused their request for heavy weaponry but offered non-lethal equipment instead.

Conclusion

The Danger of Tutsis in Rwanda

In this section, the speaker discusses a conversation where someone suggests that the Tutsis should be eliminated because they are seen as a threat. Despite concerns raised by General Jean Varet, Paris continues to support the Hutu regime and ignores these warnings.

The Conversation about Eliminating Tutsis

• A conversation takes place where it is suggested that the Tutsis should be killed quickly because they are not very numerous.

• General Jean Varet expresses his concerns about this plan to his superiors in Paris.

• However, Paris continues to support the Hutu regime and disregards these warnings.

Assimilation of Tutsis with FPR

This section highlights how during meetings, there were discussions about fighting against the Tutsis, often associating them with the FPR (Rwandan Patriotic Front). The speaker mentions raising awareness about potential dangers but feels that their concerns were not taken seriously.

Discussions on Fighting Against Tutsis

• During meetings, some colonels expressed their views on fighting against either the FPR or all Tutsi ethnic group.

• The speaker would raise awareness and caution about these discussions.

• However, their concerns were not taken seriously, and it seemed like their thesis was not being considered.

French Military Cooperation with Hutu Regime

This section reveals that despite growing concerns and evidence of an impending massacre, France continued its military cooperation with the Hutu regime. A confidential defense note confirms arms deliveries to Rwanda.

French Military Cooperation

• France maintains its military cooperation with the Hutu regime led by Habyarimana.

• A confidential defense note confirms that arms and ammunition were delivered to Rwanda in the early days of the crisis.

• The note suggests providing additional weaponry, such as rockets for helicopters.

Fragile Peace Agreements

This section discusses the fragile peace agreements organized by France between the Hutus and Tutsis. These agreements, known as the Arusha Accords, aimed to prevent a civil war in Rwanda.

Fragile Peace Agreements

• France organizes fragile peace agreements, known as the Arusha Accords, between the Hutu regime and Tutsi representatives.

• The objective of these accords is to avoid a civil war in Rwanda.

Perceived Betrayal and Extremist Reaction

This section highlights how extremist Hutus perceived the Arusha Accords as a betrayal. The speaker emphasizes that although France attempted to prevent what happened later, it was seen as complicit due to its support for the government at that time.

Perceived Betrayal and Extremist Reaction

• Extremist Hutus within Habyarimana's regime perceive the Arusha Accords as a betrayal.

• These accords are not implemented, leading to further tensions.

• The assassination of President Habyarimana on April 6th triggers a series of events that result in extremist Hutus taking control.

• France's continued support for this government is seen by some as complicity in what follows.

Government Orders Massacres

This section reveals that after Habyarimana's assassination, an interim government composed of extremist Hutus gives orders to kill both Tutsis and moderate Hutus. This marks the beginning of a 100-day period of unimaginable violence and genocide.

Government Orders Massacres

• The interim government, led by extremist Hutus, orders the population to kill Tutsis and moderate Hutus.

• This leads to a 100-day period of extreme violence and genocide in Rwanda.

France's Intervention

This section discusses France's intervention in Rwanda under the guise of a humanitarian mission called Operation Turquoise. However, there are differing opinions on the true intentions behind this intervention.

France's Intervention - Operation Turquoise

• France obtains a UN mandate for a peacekeeping mission known as Operation Turquoise.

• The deployment of 2500 French troops is presented as a humanitarian effort to stop the massacres.

• Some view this intervention skeptically, questioning whether it was solely motivated by humanitarian concerns or if there were other interests at play.

Controversies Surrounding Operation Turquoise

This section highlights controversies surrounding Operation Turquoise. The speaker mentions receiving an order to prepare for an airstrike against the FPR (Rwandan Patriotic Front), which raises questions about the true nature of the operation.

Controversies Surrounding Operation Turquoise

• There are controversies surrounding Operation Turquoise and its true objectives.

• The speaker recalls receiving an order to prepare for an airstrike against the FPR while being part of the Legion company.

• This raises doubts about whether the operation was purely humanitarian or had other military objectives.

French Soldiers and Humanitarian Operation

The speaker mentions that they were informed about the presence of 1,500 well-trained soldiers from the FPR (Rwandan Patriotic Front). They mention that they were furious when an officer ordered the helicopters to attack instead of engaging in combat. The officer then announces that they will create a humanitarian zone, which surprises the speaker as it is the first time they hear about humanitarian efforts in this operation.

French Soldiers and FPR

• The speaker mentions being informed about 1,500 well-trained soldiers from the FPR.

• They express frustration when an officer orders the helicopters to attack instead of engaging in combat.

Creation of a Humanitarian Zone

• The officer announces the creation of a humanitarian zone, which surprises the speaker.

• This is the first time they hear about humanitarian efforts in this operation.

Responsibility and Decision-Making

Guillaume Ancel's version of events is contested by former military officials involved in Operation Turquoise. He claims to be aware of major decisions made by General Lafourcade and Parisian headquarters. However, he denies having knowledge of any order regarding a humanitarian action.

Guillaume Ancel's Version

• Guillaume Ancel claims to be aware of major decisions made by General Lafourcade and Parisian headquarters.

• He denies having knowledge of any order regarding a humanitarian action.

Troubling Testimony

A French fighter pilot deployed in Zaire provides anonymous testimony stating that he received an order for an airstrike on June 30th, 1994, at Kisangani base. This contradicts Guillaume Ancel's claim that there was no such order.

Testimony of a French Fighter Pilot

• A French fighter pilot deployed in Zaire provides anonymous testimony.

• He claims to have received an order for an airstrike on June 30th, 1994, at Kisangani base.

Confusion and Alliances

The soldiers of Operation Turquoise encounter confusion as they are welcomed by the Hutu population and Rwandan army, who are carrying out the genocide with the help of militias. Emmanuel Neary Bunga, a militiaman, recalls his interactions with the French soldiers.

Confusion and Alliances

• The soldiers of Operation Turquoise are welcomed by the Hutu population and Rwandan army.

• Emmanuel Neary Bunga recalls his interactions with the French soldiers.

Perception of Violence

There is a perception of violence in terms of reciprocal massacres rather than recognizing one side as perpetrators and the other as victims. This leads to a misunderstanding of the situation as a civil war that needs to be interrupted and pacified.

Perception of Violence

• There is a perception of violence in terms of reciprocal massacres.

• The situation is misunderstood as a civil war that needs to be interrupted and pacified.

Discovery at Bisesero Hills

On June 27th, 1994, French soldiers and journalists discover hundreds of Tutsi survivors on Bisesero hills. Patrick de Saint-Exupéry recounts their pitiful state and reveals that they were left behind due to lack of means and communication.

Discovery at Bisesero Hills

• On June 27th, 1994, French soldiers and journalists discover hundreds of Tutsi survivors on Bisesero hills.

• The survivors recount their daily persecution and killings by the militias.

• The soldiers were unable to provide immediate assistance due to lack of means and communication.

Operation Turquoise Turns Humanitarian

After the discovery of massacres, Operation Turquoise shifts its focus to strictly humanitarian efforts. French soldiers establish camps to accommodate and care for Tutsi refugees.

Shift to Humanitarian Efforts

• After the discovery of massacres, Operation Turquoise becomes strictly humanitarian.

• French soldiers establish camps to accommodate and care for Tutsi refugees.

Zone Humanitaire

A zone humanitaire is established in southern Rwanda to protect victims from clashes between the Rwandan armed forces and the FPR. However, members of the Hutu genocidal government also seek refuge in this zone.

Establishment of a Zone Humanitaire

• A zone humanitaire is established in southern Rwanda.

• Its purpose is to protect victims from clashes between Rwandan armed forces and the FPR.

The Responsibility of Authorities in the Genocide

This section discusses the responsibility of authorities in the genocide and the actions taken by the French government.

French Ambassador's Telegram

• The French ambassador sent a diplomatic telegram to Paris, requesting the immediate arrest of individuals from the fallen regime.

• The authorities were seen as having a heavy responsibility in the genocide.

Paris' Response

• In response to the request from Operation Turquoise commander, Paris was ready to arrest members of the government.

• However, Elysée Palace opposed arresting members of the genocidal government.

• The United Nations mandate did not provide authorization for such arrests.

Legal Framework and Military Intervention

• The UN mandate focused on humanitarian rather than judicial aspects.

• Sipa, an armed branch of a criminal court, dealt with responsibilities related to genocide.

• Military personnel had limitations due to potential legal consequences if they arrested government officials.

France's Potential Actions

• If France had arrested members of the interim government at that time, it would not have faced major problems.

• It was widely known that this interim government was responsible for massacres and genocide.

• All UN member states are bound by the 1948 Convention on Genocide, which obliges them to prevent and punish acts of genocide.

Evacuation and Protection of Genocidal Government Members

This section explores how Operation Turquoise facilitated the escape and protection of genocidal government members.

Organized Evacuation

• The Turquoise headquarters organized the evacuation of Rwanda's transitional government to Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo).

• Rather than arresting them, their departure was provoked and organized. They were effectively given shelter or allowed to find refuge elsewhere.

Assistance from French Military

• French military aircraft transported some of the government members to Central African Republic and other destinations.

• Some fled to Togo and Cameroon, where they were eventually found.

Refuge in France

• Some of the suspected perpetrators found refuge in France.

• Local officials with undeniable responsibilities were not held accountable until later when legal proceedings began.

Legal Proceedings and Condemnations

This section highlights legal actions taken against individuals involved in the genocide.

International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR)

• The ICTR convicted 17 out of 21 ministers from the interim government, including Prime Minister Jean Kambanda.

• Many of them had passed through the Turquoise zone before their arrest and subsequent conviction.

Legal Cases in France

• Several Rwandan officials accused of genocide crimes, such as Laurence Héros Bogard, Agathe Kanziga Habyarimana (wife of President Habyarimana), and Laurent Bucyibaruta, faced judicial investigations in France.

• These individuals continue to live in France without facing any consequences.