The French president, Emmanuel Macron, has arrived in Rwanda to “write a new page” in the relationship between the two countries that was poisoned by France’s role in the 1994 Tutsi genocide, reports The Guardian.
The Élysée said the visit was important and symbolic, aimed at making “the final step” in the normalisation of Franco-Rwandan relations by finally addressing Paris’s role in the slaughter.
A key element to the visit will be a speech on Thursday morning by the French president at the genocide memorial in Kigali. Macron’s aides have not given details of the exact wording he will use, but say it will be “particularly solemn”.
“The president will address genocide victims and survivors. We hope to find words to be able to reach those people,” an Elysée source said, adding that among young people in Africa and France there was a need to put into words France’s role during that period.
“We will answer that demand for understanding,” the source said.
The Rwandan president, Paul Kagame, who has accused France repeatedly of aiding the genocide, indicated earlier this year that relations between Paris and Kigali were on the mend.