After 22 Years on the Run Rwanda Genocide Suspect Arrested in South Africa

• Fulgence Kayishema, a key suspect in Rwanda’s genocide, has been apprehended in South Africa after evading capture for over two decades.
• The arrest was made by the joint efforts of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) and South African authorities.
• Kayishema is accused of orchestrating the killing of more than 2,000 ethnic Tutsi refugees at a Catholic church during the genocide.

Rwanda Genocide Suspect, Fulgence Kayishema, Arrested in South Africa After 22 Years on the Run

After 22 years of eluding justice, Fulgence Kayishema, one of the most sought-after suspects in Rwanda’s genocide, has finally been apprehended in South Africa.

The arrest was made possible through a collaborative effort between the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) and South African authorities, marking a significant breakthrough in the pursuit of justice for the atrocities committed during the genocide.

Kayishema’s arrest took place in Paarl, a small town located in the wine-making region approximately 30 miles east of Cape Town. The IRMCT’s fugitive tracking team, working in conjunction with South African authorities, successfully carried out the joint operation that led to Kayishema’s capture.

The genocide in Rwanda, which occurred over a three-month period in 1994, resulted in the deaths of more than 800,000 people.

During this horrific period, ethnic Hutus unleashed violence upon the minority Tutsis, indiscriminately slaughtering them and even moderate Hutus who tried to shield and protect them.

Fulgence Kayishema, who had managed to evade justice since 2001, was indicted by the U.N.’s International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda for his alleged involvement in these heinous crimes.

The charges against Kayishema include genocide, complicity in genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, and crimes against humanity.

His alleged role in orchestrating the killings of over 2,000 ethnic Tutsi refugees, comprising men, women, and children, at a Catholic church during the genocide has been a matter of grave concern.

The long-awaited arrest of Kayishema provides hope that justice will finally be served, bringing closure to the victims and their families.

In response to the apprehension, IRMCT chief prosecutor Serge Brammertz expressed satisfaction, stating, “Fulgence Kayishema was a fugitive for more than 20 years. His arrest ensures that he will finally face justice for his alleged crimes.”

This development serves as a testament to the tireless efforts of law enforcement agencies and international bodies dedicated to holding individuals accountable for their involvement in genocide and crimes against humanity.

With Fulgence Kayishema now in custody, the legal process can proceed, affording an opportunity to shed light on the atrocities committed during the Rwandan genocide and ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.

The arrest serves as a reminder that the pursuit of justice is relentless and that time does not diminish the commitment to rectifying the atrocities of the past.