The Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Jean Damascène Bizimana, has criticized supporters who portray Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza as a political opponent of the Rwandan government. He stressed that she is a convicted individual whose actions, in his view, undermine national leadership and social cohesion.
Speaking in Paris, France, on February 21, 2026, Dr. Bizimana emphasized that political activism should not be confused with activities that violate the law or threaten national unity.
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Diaspora Conference on Unity and Reconciliation
The remarks were delivered during a meeting with Rwandans living in Europe, organized to promote unity and reconciliation. The initiative originated from members of the diaspora and was later discussed during the National Umushyikirano Council held in Kigali in January 2024.
The conference aimed to provide a platform for dialogue, encourage mutual understanding, and strengthen ties between Rwandans abroad and those at home.
Personal Testimonies and Reflections on Reconciliation
Among the speakers was Minister of Sports Nelly Mukazayire, who shared her personal story of surviving the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, despite her mother’s involvement in the atrocities.
Jean de Dieu Uwizeye also addressed participants, recounting how fear and mistrust of the Rwanda Patriotic Front once shaped his life. He explained that he has since overcome these feelings and now proudly identifies as a Rwandan committed to unity.
Call for Collective Responsibility from Diplomatic Leadership
Rwanda’s Ambassador to France, François Nkulikiyimfura, welcomed participants and urged them to reject division and hatred.
He reminded young Rwandans that, even if they were born after 1994, the legacy of the genocide concerns every citizen. According to him, unity and reconciliation remain collective responsibilities that transcend generations.
Colonial History and the Roots of the Genocide
Dr. Bizimana revisited Rwanda’s colonial past and post-independence politics, arguing that discriminatory governance laid the groundwork for the genocide.
He cited the regimes of Grégoire Kayibanda and Juvénal Habyarimana as having institutionalized division and exclusion. These policies, he said, culminated in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, which claimed more than one million lives.
He also highlighted the displacement of nearly two million Rwandans, many of whom fled to neighboring countries, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo, and to Europe.
Post-Genocide Recovery and the Fight Against Misinformation
The Minister emphasized that the defeat of the genocidal regime marked the beginning of national reconstruction based on unity, good governance, and inclusive development.
He warned, however, that distorted historical narratives continue to circulate, especially on social media and in some publications. According to Dr. Bizimana, such misinformation misleads young people who lack direct experience of the genocide and weakens their understanding of Rwanda’s journey toward reconciliation.
He attributed many of these narratives to individuals linked to former regimes or to groups that still harbor genocidal ideology.
Accountability, Justice, and the Case of Ingabire
Dr. Bizimana stressed that justice remains central to reconciliation, citing international trials involving figures such as Laurent Bucyibaruta, Tito Barahira, Octavien Ngenzi, Sosthène Munyemana, and Eugène Rwamucyo.
In this context, he reiterated his position on Victoire Ingabire, noting that her legal troubles are not political persecution but matters of law. He recalled that in June 2025, the Rwanda Investigation Bureau announced her arrest following court instructions to investigate alleged criminal offenses.
Dr. Bizimana concluded that sustainable peace in Rwanda depends on truth, accountability, and responsible citizenship, urging the diaspora to reject divisive narratives and contribute positively to national development.
