French Court Orders Continued Investigation Into Agathe Kanziga

Paris, May 7, 2026 - The Paris Court of Appeal has ordered the continuation of investigations into Agathe Kanziga, widow of former Rwandan President Juvénal Habyarimana, over allegations linked to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and its preparation.

The ruling, issued on May 6, 2026, overturns a previous decision made by an investigating judge in August 2025, which had concluded that there was insufficient evidence to establish Kanziga’s involvement in the genocide. At the time, the judge had indicated that she appeared more affected by the assassination of her husband following the downing of his plane on April 6, 1994.

The latest court decision means that the case will return to the investigating magistrate for further examination and collection of additional evidence related to Kanziga’s alleged role during the events leading up to and during the genocide.

Richard Gisagara, one of the lawyers representing victims in the case, explained that the Court of Appeal instructed the investigating judge to reopen inquiries and deepen the investigation before determining whether the case should proceed to trial.

“The file has been sent back to the investigating judge to continue gathering evidence concerning her possible role in the Genocide against the Tutsi. Once the investigation is completed, the judge will decide whether there are grounds for trial,” he said.

Agathe Kanziga left Rwanda on April 9, 1994, after being evacuated to France under a decree issued during the presidency of François Mitterrand.

Previous investigations into her alleged role had mainly focused on the first three days following the outbreak of the genocide. However, in September 2024, French prosecutors argued that the inquiry had been too limited in scope, conducted over a short period and based on testimony from only a small number of witnesses.

Prosecutors later requested broader investigations covering the period between March 1 and April 9, 1994, including scrutiny of Kanziga’s alleged involvement in planning activities connected to the genocide.