CNLG Highlights Key Pre-Genocide Events from 1991 to 1994

Kigali, April 7, 2026 - Rwanda’s National Commission for the Fight against Genocide has outlined a series of key events between 1991 and 1994 that it says demonstrate the long-term planning and execution of the Genocide against the Tutsi.

As part of ongoing commemoration efforts, the commission is releasing historical records each month to shed light on the preparation, attempted implementation, and eventual execution of the genocide. The initiative aims to document evidence, clarify historical narratives, and identify those responsible.

According to the commission, events dating back to January 1991 marked an escalation in violence and anti-Tutsi persecution. Following an attack by the RPF Inkotanyi in Ruhengeri, authorities allegedly used the incident as justification for retaliatory killings targeting Tutsi civilians in the region.

The report also points to the role of foreign involvement during this period, particularly military support provided to the government of former President Juvénal Habyarimana. French troops deployed under Operation Noroît were said to have assisted government forces, reinforcing confidence within the regime at the time.

Throughout 1992, the commission highlights the arming of militia groups such as the Interahamwe, alongside the emergence of media outlets accused of spreading hate propaganda. These developments coincided with growing political tensions and resistance to power-sharing arrangements.

In January 1993, extremist figures within the government and military openly rejected the Arusha Accords, which aimed to end the conflict through a transitional government. Statements attributed to senior officials indicated an intention to prepare for mass violence, while organized killings of Tutsi civilians were reported in several regions.

The commission further notes that networks of military officers and political actors coordinated efforts to oppose the peace process and promote extremist ideology. Investigations conducted at the time by international experts concluded that senior authorities were implicated in orchestrating violence against Tutsi and political opponents.

By early 1994, preparations had intensified, with increased distribution of weapons, expansion of militia training, and widespread mobilization under the guise of civil defense. Demonstrations and propaganda campaigns were also used to inflame tensions, particularly in Kigali.

The CNLG maintains that these events form part of a broader pattern illustrating that the genocide was not spontaneous, but rather the result of sustained planning and coordination by elements within the former government and its allies.

The publication of these records comes as Rwanda and the international community continue activities marking the annual remembrance period, aimed at honoring victims and reinforcing commitments to prevent future atrocities.