Rwanda is commemorating the 30th anniversary of Operation Turquoise, a French-led military intervention that took place in the final weeks of the 1994 genocide [b1a14699]. Operation Turquoise involved the deployment of 2,500 mostly French troops to establish 'safe zones' for Rwandans fleeing the killings [b1a14699]. However, Rwanda has long maintained that France not only failed to stop the slaughter but also facilitated the safe passage of tens of thousands of Hutus into neighboring Zaire, allowing many perpetrators of the genocide to escape justice [b1a14699]. French President Emmanuel Macron has acknowledged France's "heavy and damning responsibilities" for not doing enough to prevent the killings [b1a14699]. Rwandan President Paul Kagame has accused Paris of training the militias responsible for the killings and continuing to provide weapons and equipment to the Hutus even after they had started massacring Tutsis [b1a14699].
The genocide in Rwanda lasted for 100 days, resulting in the systematic massacre of Tutsis and moderate Hutus by Hutu extremists [6e77f31a]. Over 1 million people were killed during this period, primarily ethnic Tutsis but also including Hutus and Twa people [6e77f31a]. The genocide memorial in Kigali serves as a resting place for approximately 250,000 victims [2284f6c1].
As part of the commemoration events, President Kagame and his wife laid wreaths at a genocide memorial in Kigali [6e77f31a]. Hundreds of people also gathered in Ottawa, Canada, to march in remembrance of the genocide [518040fc]. UNESCO has designated four genocide memorial sites in Rwanda as world heritage sites [6e77f31a]. The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, which was established to try the masterminds of the genocide, closed in 2015 after convicting 61 suspects. Rwanda's internal justice system has since handled nearly 2 million cases [6e77f31a].
In addition to the commemoration, Rwanda is also reflecting on France's role in the genocide and the diplomatic tensions that have arisen as a result [b1a14699]. France has consistently denied direct complicity in the genocide, but Rwanda has accused Paris of playing a role in training the militias responsible for the killings [b1a14699]. The controversy surrounding France's involvement in the genocide has strained diplomatic relations between the two countries [b1a14699].
This year's commemoration of the genocide serves as a reminder of the atrocities committed and the need to prevent similar acts of violence in the future [518040fc]. It also highlights the ongoing efforts to seek justice for the victims and hold those responsible accountable [e311e166] [d539027e].