Former Rwandan Minister Arrested for Involvement in 1994 Genocide in Belgium

Belgian authorities arrested 82-year-old Stanislas Mbonampeka, a former Rwandan Minister of Justice, for his involvement in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda last Thursday. The federal public prosecutor confirmed the news following reports by various African media and Spanish news agency Efe.

Mbonampeka appeared in the council chamber on Thursday, where his arrest warrant was extended by a month. The spokesperson for the Rwandan public prosecutor’s office stated that Mbonampeka’s arrest aligns with Rwanda’s stance that those responsible for crimes should be prosecuted or held accountable.

Ibuka, an organization representing associations of genocide survivors, expressed satisfaction with Mbonampeka’s arrest. The chairman, Philbert Gakwenzire, described it as a relief to the survivors and families of those who were killed on orders. He expressed hope that Mbonampeka would be extradited to Rwanda to face justice despite his age.

Mbonampeka is accused of ordering the killing of more than 21,000 people at the Ndera psychiatric hospital in the Gasabo district of Kigali. The hospital came under attack on April 17, 1994, allegedly on the orders of Mbonampeka and others, after Belgian soldiers decided to evacuate the Belgian personnel working there. The Rwandan genocide began on April 7, 1994, following the assassination of the Presidents of Rwanda and Burundi, resulting in the deaths of at least 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus within a short period of time.