Déogratias Nsabimana

Augustin Bizimungu
Born Kigali, Ruanda-Urundi
Allegiance  Rwanda
Service/branch Rwandan Armed Forces
Rank Major-General
Commands held Chief of Staff of the Rwandan Army[1]
Battles/wars Rwandan Genocide
Relations Interahamwe Militia

Déogratias Nsabimana (died 6 April 1994) is a former general and chief of staff of the Rwandan Armed Forces (FAR). In 1994, he briefly served as chief of staff of the army. During this time, he trained the soldiers and militiamen who carried out the Rwandan Genocide.[2]

Biography

Early years

Bizimungu was born in Byumba préfecture, Mukaranje Commune, Mugina Secteur, Nyange Cellule, Rwanda.[3] He was an ethnic Hutu.

Military career

In October 1990, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), a force of mostly Tutsi Rwandan refugees and expatriates crossed the border from Uganda and invaded Rwanda. Nsabimana distinguished himself on the battlefront [4] As a result, in April 1992, Nsabimana was appointed chief of staff of the Rwandan army. In this role, he supported the development of a new paratrooper unit. As a member of the network zero (a communication association of military and political leaders) which helped train the future death squads.[5] As evidence of cooperation between the Rwandan army and the Interahamwe militia appeared, he said that he had no knowledge of this cooperation. He took over the Defense considers the Justice Department would have to deal with this matter.[6]

Nsabimana also put forward a plan, the Hutu -Extremisten Ferdinand Nahimana would draw up a history lesson program for the Rwandan army. Teaching, he argued should be with the passing of former Tutsi deal Rulers.[7] In December 1993, as part of the Arusha Agreement, a power-sharing agreement was put into effect, with the rebel movement Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) which saw some 600 soldiers enter Kigali. Nsabimana was opposed to the Arusha Agreement. The following year, Nsabimana allegedly involved in the application of stockpiles for the Interahamwe.[8] According to a witness Nsabimana discussed in March 1994 with Colonel Gratien Kabiligi options to destroy the RPF.[9]

Death

On 6 April 1994 Nsabimana along with President Juvénal Habyarimana were returning from high level talks in Dar es Salaam when their aircraft, Dassault Falcon 50 was hit by two surface-to-air missiles and crashed just out the presidential compound in Kigali.[10] the plane was carrying twelve aboard, including President Cyprien Ntaryamira of Burundi.[11]

The subsequent Rwandan President Paul Kagame expressed the belief that Nsabimana had prepared a conspiracy against Habyarimana and this let him travel so having to Dar es Salaam to keep him under observation.[12]

Bizimungu is portrayed by Fana Mokoena in the 2004 movie Hotel Rwanda.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.haguejusticeportal.net/Docs/ICTR/Bizimungu_Indictment_EN.pdf
  2. ↑ "ICTR press release about Bizimungu". ICTR.
  3. ↑ "Indictment against Bizimungu" (PDF). ICTR.
  4. ↑ From War to Genocide: Criminal Politics in Rwanda, 1990–1994 p74
  5. ↑ Linda Melvern: Rwanda Genocide and the participation of the Western world , Heinrich Hugendubel Verlag, Kreuzlingen / Munich 2004. ISBN 3-7205-2486-8 p46
  6. ↑ Linda Melvern: Rwanda Genocide and the participation of the Western world, Heinrich Hugendubel Verlag, Kreuzlingen / Munich 2004. ISBN 3-7205-2486-8 p58
  7. ↑ Linda Melvern: Rwanda Genocide and the participation of the Western world , Heinrich Hugendubel Verlag, Kreuzlingen / Munich 2004. ISBN 3-7205-2486-8 p58
  8. ↑ Linda Melvern: Rwanda Genocide and the participation of the Western world, Heinrich Hugendubel Verlag, Kreuzlingen / Munich 2004. ISBN 3-7205-2486-8 p117
  9. ↑ Linda Melvern: Rwanda Genocide and the participation of the Western world , Heinrich Hugendubel Verlag, Kreuzlingen / Munich 2004. ISBN 3-7205-2486-8 p146
  10. ↑ Criminal Occurrence description, Aviation Safety Network
  11. ↑ Report of the Information Mission on Rwanda, Section 4: L'Attentat du 6 Avril 1994 Contre L'Avion du Président Juvénal Habyarimana, 15 December 1998(French)
  12. ↑ Linda Melvern: Rwanda Genocide and the participation of the Western world , Heinrich Hugendubel Verlag, Kreuzlingen / Munich 2004. ISBN 3-7205-2486-8 p304

External links

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