IN a landmark trial that spanned several months, the Belgian Court has delivered a decisive judgment, sentencing Rwandan national Seraphin Twahirwa for his role in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.
Twahirwa, 65, was found guilty on multiple counts related to his involvement in the atrocities that claimed the lives of nearly 800,000 people, predominantly Tutsis and moderate Hutus.
The presiding judge stated in a solemn courtroom that Twahirwa had been convicted of crimes against humanity, including genocide, murder, and incitement to commit genocide. The court detailed his direct involvement in orchestrating and executing attacks on Tutsi civilians during the brutal genocide, which unfolded over a hundred days in 1994.
During the proceedings, chilling testimonies were presented, revealing Twahirwa’s active participation in organizing and leading militia groups responsible for massacres in several regions across Rwanda. Witnesses recounted harrowing tales of his direct involvement in killings, urging others to join in the mass violence that engulfed the nation.
In response to the verdict, Twahirwa maintained a stoic demeanour, showing no visible emotion as the sentence was pronounced. He was handed a life sentence, marking a significant milestone in international efforts to bring perpetrators of the Rwandan genocide to justice.
The ruling elicited mixed reactions, particularly from Rwanda, where the wounds of the genocide remain deeply ingrained in the collective memory. Rwandan authorities welcomed the judgment as a step toward accountability for the heinous crimes committed during the genocide.
In Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, government spokesperson, Emma Rwamakuba, expressed cautious satisfaction with the Belgian court’s decision. “This verdict serves as a reminder that justice, although delayed, will eventually catch up with perpetrators of genocide. It sends a powerful message that there’s no impunity for those responsible for such egregious crimes against humanity,” Rwamakuba stated.
The sentencing of François Twahirwa is seen as a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice for the Rwandan genocide. As survivors continue to grapple with the traumatic legacy of the genocide, this verdict represents a semblance of closure and a reaffirmation of the international community’s commitment to holding accountable those responsible for such atrocities.
