Genocide survivors not surprised by the bodies discovered in Rubavu airport 25 years later

The Genocide Survivors we spoke to affirmed that the area around Gisenyi Airport was a stronghold for Genocide Perpetrators before and during the 1994 Tutsi Genocide.

The Genocide Survivors went on to tell that the fact that so many bodies have been found at the Airport is not surprising when you consider just how ruthless the killers who were based there were and that they were even deployed to other parts of the country to commit atrocities when the need arose.

Innocent Kabanda, a Genocide Survivor told RBA that; "that area was heavily guarded and the things that happened there were kept hidden, with local residents not allowed to go near there. People were afraid of Habyarimana's Soldiers posted there and the Gendarmerie."

According to several accounts, the area around Rubavu airport, known as ‘Majengo’ was heavily guarded as it was the Headquarters of the Interahamwe Militia and the notorious Muvumba Battalion of Ex-FAR was also based there.

Officials at the National Commission for the Fight Against Genocide have noted that the recent discovery up to 142 bodies of Genocide Victims at the Gisenyi Airport is itself evidence that there is more information that needs to be uncovered.

Genocide Survivors are saying that people who withhold information pertaining to the whereabouts of the bodies of their loved ones are hindering the Unity and Reconciliation process by doing so.

Officials including the Minister of Justice, Johnston Busingye and the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for the fight against Genocide, Dr Jean Damascene Bizimana visited the location this weekend. They also noted that considering how Gisenyi was known to be a stronghold of Genocidal Authorities of 1994 and the period prior to that; and the fact that many atrocities were committed in the months leading up to the Genocide against Tutsis, with the bodies, never recovered, it is safe to conclude that the bodies found at the Airport are those of victims killed during the Tutsi Genocide and prior to it from the neighbouring areas. 

Officials also noted that since many Genocide victims are still unaccounted for, people with such information should come forward to facilitate ongoing investigations archiving process. 

Genocide Survivors are saying that people who withhold information pertaining to the whereabouts of the bodies of their loved ones are hindering the Unity and Reconciliation process by doing so and that it benefits no one to do that, with Survivors grieving over the lost bodies of their loved ones, and those hiding such information constantly tormented that they will be discovered every time mass graves are uncovered.