11.10.07 - RWANDA/FRANCE - A ONE MONTH EXTENSION OF THE RWANDAN COMMISSION ON THE ROLE OF FRANCE

    Arusha, 11 October 2007 (FH) - The mandate of a Rwandan inquiry commission investigating the alleged role of France in the 1994 genocide was extended Wednesday for another month by the Rwandan government.   

The decision was made at a cabinet meeting presided by the Head of State, Paul Kagame, Radio Rwanda reported Thursday.
 
The commission, whose mandate has already been extended twice and which was to present its report this month, is presided by Jean de Dieu Mucyo, former Minister of Justice and former Attorney General of Rwanda.
 
Since the end of last year, the Mucyo commission has heard dozens of witnesses, including Rwandans and Europeans who blamed France. The commission, however, complained that it was unable to question French officials.
 
In addition of its president, the commission includes six other members: the vice-president; General Jérôme Ngendahimana, former officer of the former Rwandan Armed Forces (RAF); and the secretary, Geraldine Bakashyaka, a lawyer by training. Also included are: historian José Kagabo, professor at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS) in Paris; and Jean-Paul Kimonyo, doctor of political science from the Université de Montréal in Canada. The two other Members of the Commission are Jean Damascène Bizimana, doctor in law from the Université de Toulouse (France) and Alice Rugira, a jurist who worked for a long time in the field of insurance in Rwanda.

The commission will submit a report to the president of the Republic, by proposing him actions to be carried out.
 
ER/PB/MM

© Hirondelle News Agency

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