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Rwanda genocide: Kagame warns of 'showdown' with France | Rwanda genocide: Kagame warns of 'showdown' with France |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Rwanda's President Paul Kagame has warned of a "showdown" with France after a French investigation into the events leading to Rwanda's genocide was reopened. | Rwanda's President Paul Kagame has warned of a "showdown" with France after a French investigation into the events leading to Rwanda's genocide was reopened. |
Then-Rwandan president Juvenal Habyarimana was killed when his plane was shot down in 1994. | Then-Rwandan president Juvenal Habyarimana was killed when his plane was shot down in 1994. |
His assassination triggered nationwide violence, leading to 800,000 deaths. | His assassination triggered nationwide violence, leading to 800,000 deaths. |
Investigators want to hear evidence from a former general who claims Mr Kagame was involved. | Investigators want to hear evidence from a former general who claims Mr Kagame was involved. |
President Kagame rejected the allegations, and criticised French authorities for re-opening the investigation last week. | |
"The judicial system of Rwanda is not subordinate to France or France's interests," he said. | "The judicial system of Rwanda is not subordinate to France or France's interests," he said. |
France, in turn, is accused by Mr Kagame of taking part in the massacres - a charge denied by Paris. | France, in turn, is accused by Mr Kagame of taking part in the massacres - a charge denied by Paris. |
"If starting all over again is a showdown we will have a showdown, there is no problem about that," Mr Kagame said. | "If starting all over again is a showdown we will have a showdown, there is no problem about that," Mr Kagame said. |
Former Rwandan army chief Faustin Kayumba Nyamwasa, who lives in exile in South Africa, says that Mr Kagame was responsible for the attack on the aircraft. | Former Rwandan army chief Faustin Kayumba Nyamwasa, who lives in exile in South Africa, says that Mr Kagame was responsible for the attack on the aircraft. |
French authorities have now asked for South Africa's cooperation in formally questioning Mr Nyamwasa. | French authorities have now asked for South Africa's cooperation in formally questioning Mr Nyamwasa. |
Rwanda and France have an ongoing dispute about the circumstances surrounding the 1994 plane crash, in which French crew members also died. | Rwanda and France have an ongoing dispute about the circumstances surrounding the 1994 plane crash, in which French crew members also died. |
Rwanda's genocide, the victims of which largely came from the minority Tutsi ethnic group, took place between April and June 1994, leaving 800,000 dead within 100 days. | Rwanda's genocide, the victims of which largely came from the minority Tutsi ethnic group, took place between April and June 1994, leaving 800,000 dead within 100 days. |
On 6 Apri, 1994, President Juvenal Habyarimana's plane - which was also carrying the President of Burundi - was shot down by an unknown assailant. Mr Kagame maintains it was the work of Hutu extremists, who wanted to provide a pretext for violence against the Tutsi community. | On 6 Apri, 1994, President Juvenal Habyarimana's plane - which was also carrying the President of Burundi - was shot down by an unknown assailant. Mr Kagame maintains it was the work of Hutu extremists, who wanted to provide a pretext for violence against the Tutsi community. |
A Rwandan inquiry backed up the president's assertions, but subsequent French investigations have failed to reach any conclusions. | A Rwandan inquiry backed up the president's assertions, but subsequent French investigations have failed to reach any conclusions. |
In 2006, Rwanda cut ties with France for three years after a judge called for Mr Kagame to stand trial. | In 2006, Rwanda cut ties with France for three years after a judge called for Mr Kagame to stand trial. |
Relations between the two nations have remained tense since then. | Relations between the two nations have remained tense since then. |
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