One of their first plans was to exterminate the Tutsi who had taken refuge at Amahoro Stadium in Remera, a location perceived to be secure due to the presence of UNAMIR peacekeepers.
However, this plan was thwarted due to fighting between the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) and the Presidential Guard, allowing many Tutsi and others at the stadium to survive.
Among those saved was a Belgian consultant named François Veriter, who worked on governance projects supported by the UN Development Programme (UNDP).
That same night, Major Aloys Ntabakuze, head of the Para-Commando battalion based at Kanombe military camp, ordered his soldiers to begin killing Tutsi and political opponents living near the camp in an area called Kajagari.
Also on this day, 17 Tutsi, including priests and nuns, were killed at the Jesuit Centre Christus in Remera. Among them was 67-year-old Father Chrysologue Mahame, the Jesuit director of the centre and a founder of the human rights and peace advocacy group "Association des Volontaires de la Paix (AVP)."
These murders were carried out by presidential guards, para-commandos from Kanombe, and Interahamwe militia who mercilessly descended on their fellow Rwandans just because they were Tutsi.
Targeting political opponents of the Genocide
In the campaign to eliminate political figures who opposed the Habyarimana regime and the genocide plan, Prime Minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana was the first to be killed on April 7, 1994, alongside 10 Belgian UN peacekeepers assigned to protect her.
They were tortured and murdered by government soldiers led by Major Bernard Ntuyahaga, who was later convicted by a Belgian court and sentenced to 20 years in prison (a sentence he has now served).
Other prominent politicians killed included, Joseph Kavaruganda, President of the Constitutional Court, Minister Frederiko Nzamurambaho, also PSD party president Me. Félicien Ngango, PSD Vice President, and his wife Odette Ubonabenshi, Faustin Rucogoza, Minister of Information (MDR) and Landouald Ndasingwa, a PL party leader. These assassinations were carried out by Habyarimana's guards.
Radio Muhabura, operated by the RPF, was the first media outlet to condemn the killings of Tutsi and Hutu politicians who opposed the genocide. The RPF's military leadership declared its mission to protect innocent civilians and issued orders to halt the killings.
Nationwide massacres following the President's death
From the night of April 6, 1994, Radio Rwanda and RTLM broadcast a statement signed by Colonel Théoneste Bagosora, acting on behalf of the Minister of Defense, confirming the president's death and instructing citizens to remain indoors.
This message facilitated the coordination of widespread massacres, particularly in Kigali neighborhoods like Kacyiru and Kimihurura, where Interahamwe set up roadblocks and began killing Tutsi.
The killing spread across the country. Local mayors (burgomasters) and community leaders led the violence.
In Giciye commune (Gisenyi), many Tutsi were killed, including the wife of Christophe Bazivamo, an agriculture project worker.
In Bicumbi commune (Kigali), Mayor Juvenal Rugambarara personally executed the plan. He admitted to the ICTR that he personally killed around 100 Tutsi and was convicted for it.
Killings expanded to Bugesera, Kibungo, and Gitarama
In Runda (Kamonyi), Tutsi were massacred in several locations including Nyabarongo and thrown into Cyabariza pond. Key perpetrators were local leaders like Kamana Claver and Ndayambaje Sixbert.
In Kayenzi (Kamonyi), killings occurred at Cocobeka and Intwari. In Gisuma (Cyangugu) and Nyaruguru, gendarmes joined the killings. In Muko (Nyamagabe), six Tutsi, including municipal finance officer Michel Gacendeli, were murdered by a group of about 100 led by the police chief and Mayor Kayihura Albert.
In Gisenyi, Colonel Anatole Nsengiyumva called a meeting with Interahamwe, military, and police leaders. They decided to establish roadblocks and kill all Tutsi. Victims were collected from homes and dumped in mass graves nicknamed 'Komini Rouge.'
Over 800 people, mostly women and children, were killed at Nyundo Parish. Others were killed at Nyundo minor seminary (50), Busasamana parish (150), Centre St Pierre, Stella Maris Church, Rwandex, and Komini Rouge.
Murders continue to Ruhengeri, Cyangugu, and beyond
In Ruhengeri, a planning meeting was held at the home of MRND secretary-general Joseph Nzirorera. Participants included Colonels Ephrem Setako and Augustin Bizimungu, and other officials. They decided the Tutsi had to be eliminated by the next morning.
Colonel Bizimungu distributed guns to local leaders and Interahamwe leaders. Killings followed; Tutsi at ISAE Busogo were all murderedwith 43 killed at Busogo Parish.
Interahamwe group "Amahindure" spread terror across Ruhengeri as killings went on in Bugarama (Rusizi), Kivuruga (Gakenke), Tare, Nemba Hospital, and other locations. Victims were thrown into rivers like Rusizi, Ruhwa, and Rubyiro.
Some perpetrators were identified as Yusuf Munyakazi and CIMERWA director Marcel Sebatware (now a Belgian citizen).
In Cyangugu and Nyabihu, Tutsi were killed in Adventist churches, military camps, and Catholic parishes including Hesha, Gisizi, Rambura, and Mukamira. Victims were also found in Byahi (Rubavu).
IGIHE
