Australia should prosecute or extradite Rwandan genocide fugitives

Author: Moses Kayinamura

• 2024-03-05 05:30:00

Almost 30 years after the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi in Rwanda, Australia continues to be a safe haven for genocide fugitives. This is due to a gap in the screening process by Australian security and the authorities' reluctance to investigate or prosecute alleged international crimes committed by people living in the country.

The Guardian UK and ABC's Four Corners programme conducted a one-year investigation on two Rwandans indicted by the Rwandan prosecution for the crimes of genocide and currently residing in Australia. The two are Froduard Rukeshangabo and Celestin Munyaburanga. Broadcast on February 25, the documentary included interviews with genocide survivors and confessed perpetrators familiar with the allegations against the two men.

The documentary located Rukeshangabo living in suburban Brisbane where he works as a driving instructor. He was tried in absentia, sentenced to 30 years in jail by Gacaca courts in Ngoma District.

Rukeshangabo, a school inspector, was an influential figure in Ngoma District, former Kibungo Prefecture, giving instructions to mass murderers to kill the Tutsi in that region. 

Not only does Australia fail to bring genocide perpetrators to justice, but also promotes genocide denial under the pretext of freedom of speech and political adherence.

Rukeshangabo was granted asylum in 2009 upon his arrival and was given citizenship in 2015.

After the documentary was aired, genocide deniers within the Rwandan Community in Australia took to SBS TV, playing the victim card. Among those interviewed is Amiel Nubaha, the son of Rukeshangabo, who claims that the Rwandan government targeted them because of their political beliefs.

Munyaburanga, a former headmaster of Hanika School in Nyanza District, was tried in absentia and sentenced to life in prison by Busasamana Gacaca Courts. 

Suspected picture of Celestin Munyaburanga

While Rwandan prosecution has evidence of Munyaburanga living in Australia, Australian authorities in the documentary claimed no such name entered the country, and his family insists he lives in Africa but is innocent. Sources say Munyaburanga resides in Australia under a false name, much like hundreds other genocide fugitives around the world who will do everything to evade justice.

Australia is not only a safe haven for genocide fugitives and deniers. It i also home to members of terror groups in the region, including members of RNC which was found by Kayumba Nyamwasa.

While members of Nyamwasa’s P5 terrorist group are on trial in Kigali, one of its members residing in Australia, Robert Mukoombozi, spoke to SBS TV after the documentary's release, claiming harassment and attempted assassination by the government of Rwanda when he travelled to Uganda in April 2022.

However, the fact is Mukoombozi had been apprehended by Ugandan security upon his return to Uganda due to his rebellious activities. To sanitize the two genocide fugitives, Noel Zibahamwe, known for fabricating lies to secure visas for himself and his family members in Australia, played a role.

Australian authorities should come to Rwanda where the genocide were committed and where the witnesses reside, and get the facts. Some European countries that tried or arrested and sent genocide fugitives to Rwanda conducted investigations before taking action.

Australian media should not solely rely on the accounts of genocide fugitives, deniers, and economic asylum seekers to inform their audience about Rwanda. They should invest time in credible investigations.