’One more step’

Macron had already recognised France’s “responsibilities” in the genocide during a visit to Rwanda in 2021 – adding only the survivors could grant “the gift of forgiveness”.

Since he was elected in 2017, Macron commissioned a report on France’s role before and during the genocide and ordered the country’s archives to be opened to the public.

The Ibuka France association, which brings together survivors of then genocide living in France, said Macon’s message was an “important step”.

Its president, the historian Marcel Kabanda, told RFI: “It is reassuring for us to go to the 30^th commemoration with this declaration.”

Kabanda also called on France to go further by apologising to the victims of this genocide, and open the way to reparations – even if only through a symbolic gesture.

French historian Vincent Duclert, who chaired the commission responsible for shedding light on the role of France in Rwanda between 1990 and 1994, told RFI that Macron’s speech was an example of ongoing efforts to recognised what happened.

He said France, which had military forces on the ground in Rwanda, could have intervened in April 1994.

The troops and other western troops had “all the means to do so” and organise “evacuation operations”, he told RFI.

“This is the way to resolve past traumas.”