Rwanda: Ex-ruling party favoured the Arusha Accord, claims Genocide accused
By RNA News with Hirondelle
27 May 2010
Arusha: Genocide-suspect Joseph Nzirorera Wednesday denied the prosecution claim that the then Rwandan ruling party, MRND refused to implement the Arusha Peace Accord signed in 1993, leading the 1994 Tutsi mass Genocide.
Nzirorera, the former Secretary General of MRND, was being cross examined by prosecutor Don Webster when he maintained before the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) that his party was actually in favour of implementation of the agreement, particularly the protocol of power sharing.
"President (Juvenal) Habyarimana, who was also president of the party, had a wish to restore peace in Rwanda," he testified when giving his own defence against genocide charges he is facing.
The Arusha Peace Agreement was signed on August 4, 1993 and was supposed to have been implemented within 37 days thereafter for establishment of the rule of law, power-sharing, integration of armed forces and other miscellaneous provisions.
According to the prosecution, the MRND refused to implement the agreement and, instead organized massacres against the Tutsis to avoid power sharing with the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF).
Nzirorera's testimony continues Thursday. He is tried jointly with other two former senior party leaders, President Mathieu Ngirumpatse and his Vice-President Edouard Karemera with crimes allegedly committed by members of their party. Karemera has already completed his defence.
Related Materials:
The Arusha Peace Agreement
Rwanda: Dealing with the reality, achieving common ground, and betting on the future
posted by Mamadou Kouyate @ 8:25 AM
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