Minister Nduhungirehe Commends France for Convicting Dr. Munyemana for Genocide Crimes

KIGALI, Rwanda - Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, has expressed gratitude to the French judiciary for convicting Dr. Munyemana Sosthène of his role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Dr. Munyemana, a former gynecologist at Butare Hospital affiliated with the former National University of Rwanda, was a respected figure in Tumba Sector and known as a friend of local leaders. However, he was implicated in crimes committed during the genocide, including imprisoning Tutsi victims before they were killed. He claimed his actions were intended to protect them from the Interahamwe militia.

On the night of October 23, 2025, the Appeals Chamber of the French People’s Court upheld his conviction for genocide, crimes against humanity, and complicity in genocide, sentencing him to 24 years in prison. The sentence confirmed the ruling from the trial chamber in December 2023, which Dr. Munyemana had appealed, seeking acquittal and a reduced sentence.

Minister Nduhungirehe praised the decision, stating, “The French judiciary acted with due diligence to provide justice to the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi, as the Paris Court of Appeal confirmed yesterday when it sentenced Dr. Munyemana Sosthène to 24 years in prison for genocide, crimes against humanity, and complicity in genocide.”

Since 2014, several Rwandans residing in France have been convicted for their involvement in the 1994 genocide. Pascal Simbikangwa, former head of Rwanda’s intelligence service, was sentenced to 25 years in March 2014. In July 2016, Ngenzi Octavien and Tito Barahira, former commune leaders implicated in massacres in Kabarrondo, received life sentences.

In July 2022, Laurent Bucyibaruta, former Prefect of Gikongoro, was sentenced to 20 years for genocide and crimes against humanity. In June 2023, Hategekimana Philippe, a former gendarme involved in the Butare genocide, was sentenced to life imprisonment, with the sentence upheld on appeal in November 2024.

The conviction of Dr. Munyemana marks another step in holding perpetrators accountable and underscores France’s commitment to prosecuting international crimes.