Macron: France could have stopped Rwanda genocide — but lacked will to do so

France President Emmanuel Macron has acknowledged that his country could have stopped the 1994 genocide in Rwanda but lacked the will to do so.

Ethnic Hutu extremists killed more than 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus during the genocide.

According to The Guardian, in a video message to be published on Sunday to mark the 30th anniversary of the genocide, Macron will emphasise that “when the phase of total extermination against the Tutsis began, the international community had the means to know and act”.

“France, which could have stopped the genocide with its Western and African allies, lacked the will to do so,” Macron was quoted as saying.

Macron will also reiterate “the importance of the duty of remembrance, but also of developing and disseminating reference knowledge, in particular through the education of younger generations in France”.

Macron will not be attending commemoration of the genocide on Sunday in Kigali, but will be represented by Stéphane Séjourné, French foreign minister.

Bill Clinton, former US president, is however expected to attend.

Relations between France and Rwanda have been on the mend, following years of tensions over France’s alleged role in the genocide.

France has been accused of failing to do enough to stop the genocide. French leaders have repeatedly denied their country’s complicity in the genocide.

During a visit to Rwanda in 2021, Macron recognised France’s “responsibilities” in the genocide and said only the survivors could grant “the gift of forgiveness”. He, however, did not offer an apology.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who led the Tutsi rebellion that ended the genocide, has long emphasised the need for a stronger statement from France.