A lawsuit was filed by the Rwandan community in France following various interviews and books in which Onana claimed that there was no genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
Onana has also been influenced by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to further deny the Genocide, instead portraying a so-called genocide against Congolese people that has never been internationally recognized.
Since the news of Onana's trial broke, his supporters, many of whom have long opposed the Rwandan government, have launched what resembles a campaign to paint him as an innocent man being unjustly persecuted.
Among those rallying behind Onana are a large number of Rwanda's critics, who intentionally refuse to say anything positive about the country as long as it is governed by the RPF Inkotanyi, which stopped the Genocide against the Tutsi.
Others include former Rwandan officials who committed crimes and fled to avoid prosecution. These individuals eagerly support anything that tarnishes Rwanda's leadership, as a way to obscure the wrongs they committed.
Youth from Jambo asbl at the forefront
At the forefront of the campaign defending Onana is a group called Jambo asbl, which consists of children of individuals who planned and participated in the genocide against the Tutsi.
This group, based in Belgium, has historically provided support to the FDLR rebel group, with some of its leaders traveling to Congo for activities aimed at destabilizing Rwanda. The youth involved have embraced the extremist ideology of Parmehutu, which led to the genocide.
FDU Inkingi
FDU Inkingi and Jambo asbl share a connection, with the only difference being that one is a political party, and the other is an organization. FDU Inkingi was founded by Victoire Ingabire, who was convicted by Rwandan courts for denying the Genocide against the Tutsi.
The party's agenda aligns with Parmehutu's ideology, which advocates for Rwanda to be governed solely by Hutus.
Victoire Ingabire, who co-founded the FDLR, continues to promote Genocide denial, aligning herself with other groups that seek to overthrow Rwanda's government. FDU Inkingi has also been involved in establishing the P5 rebel group, which launched attacks on Rwanda in 2018.
The current leader of FDU Inkingi, Kayumba Placide, is a member of Jambo asbl. In 2015, Kayumba led a delegation from Jambo asbl to meet with FDLR leaders in eastern DRC to discuss cooperation aimed at toppling the Rwandan government.
Kayumba's father, Ntawukuriryayo Dominique, was the Southern Province Governor (formerly reffered to as Butare) during the genocide and was convicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for his role in the killings.
The FDU Inkingi party includes individuals responsible for the genocide, and they are among those most eager to see Onana's case dismissed. They recognize that Onana's punishment could set a precedent for their own accountability, as they share his views.
Marianne Baziruwiha
Marianne Baziruwiha, a former employee of Rwanda's embassy in the United States, is another key figure backing Charles Onana. Baziruwiha has distanced herself from Rwanda ever since being dismissed from the embassy for allegedly embezzling government funds.
Since then, she has surrounded herself with Rwanda's critics and joined the RNC, despite its leader, Theogene Rudasingwa, being responsible for her dismissal from the embassy.
Congolese youth in Europe
Due to the close relationship between Onana and Felix Tshisekedi's government, some Congolese youth, acting like extremists, have been organizing protests across Europe in support of the Cameroonian.
These youths are reportedly funded by the Congolese government to present Onana as being silenced by Rwanda for telling the truth. Onana's books, which have recently been treated as reference materials by the Congolese government, have raised concerns due to their content.
The situation escalated to the point where Congo's national radio and television station (RTNC) broadcasted a program calling on Congolese people to support Charles Onana in his trial.
Journalists opposing Rwanda
Several journalists, many of whom are long-time critics of Rwanda, have joined the campaign to defend Charles Onana. Among them is Michaela Wrong, who has made it her mission to discredit Rwanda through her books, media appearances, and other outlets. Her animosity toward Rwanda intensified after the body of her friend, Patrick Karegeya, was found in a South African hotel in early 2014.
Patrick Mbeko, a journalist from the DRC with Canadian citizenship, is also among Onana's supporters. Mbeko, who is often described as an expert on African issues, has consistently blamed Rwanda for the problems in the DRC, despite being repeatedly accused of denying the genocide against the Tutsi.
When Felicien Kabuga was arrested in 2020, Mbeko stated that Kabuga was innocent and that the media was exaggerating the situation.
IGIHE
