The African Facts, an organization committed to publishing factual information about Africa, revealed that findings from its five-year investigation into the Habyarimana family show that Jean-Luc's words align with actions â€" he, his mother Agathe Kanziga, and other family members maintain strong ties with members of both the FDLR and the CNRD-FLN.
The investigation began on June 3, 2020, after the organization observed another son of Habyarimana, Léon Habyarimana, alongside former FDLR Executive Secretary Callixte Mbarushimana, during court proceedings at the Paris Court of Appeal related to the extradition case of Félicien Kabuga.
It noted that Léon and Mbarushimana â€" who is suspected of involvement in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi â€" were conversing outside the courtroom, prompting suspicions that they may know each other. This led to further evidence-gathering to confirm the connection.
In a 2008 investigative report on France's role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Maj Gen (Rtd) Paul Rwarakabije explained that during those years, Kanziga received significant funds from France's intelligence service, the DGSE, to support the FDLR, which she handed over to Col Aloys Ntiwiragabo, one of the group's founders.
When French Gendarmerie searched Kanziga's home in 2016, they found Col Ntiwiragabo's phone number in her notebook, confirming that they had been in contact for over 16 years. At the time, Ntiwiragabo had been residing in Orléans since 2006.
In 2011, Ntiwiragabo's wife founded the Association des Rwandais de l'agglomération orléanaise (ARAO) in Orléans. Since 2016, Kanziga's niece â€" Clémentine, daughter of Protais Zigiranyirazo â€" has served on its board. African Facts revealed that five other ARAO members work closely with Kanziga.
In its search for further proof, the organization obtained data from a computer seized by French investigators from the building where Jean-Luc resides. It contained a message from Léon to one of his cousins that included the names 'Omar' and 'Orléans.' 'Omar' was an alias used by Col. Ntiwiragabo during his time in Sudan and while co-founding the FDLR.
Investigators also discovered a 2012 guest list and budget for an event held at the Habyarimana family home. Among the attendees were former senior officials from Habyarimana's regime, including individuals convicted of genocide crimes and suspects such as Jean-Chrysostome Nyirurugo.
Nyirurugo appears in a Belgian police document listing members responsible for collecting funds for the PDR party, part of the MRCD coalition founded by Paul Rusesabagina. The FLN armed wing of MRCD carried out attacks near Nyungwe National Park in 2018 and 2019 and is still active in Burundi's Kibira Forest.
Kanziga's notebook also contained the phone number of Gen Janvier Mayanga, a senior officer in the Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) army who played a key role in coordinating operations between government forces, the FDLR, and the Wazalendo militia â€" especially in Masisi territory.
Gen Mayanga was instrumental in forming armed groups sharing an anti-Tutsi ideology, such as PARECO. PARECO fought alongside the DRC army against Gen Laurent Nkunda's CNDP and later against M23, from 2006 onward.
His cooperation with the FDLR was first confirmed by UN experts in 2008 and 2009, when he was reported to be sourcing support for the group. Since the emergence of M23 in 2012, his role in the conflict has remained significant.
In December 2023, President Félix Tshisekedi appointed Gen Mayanga as the intelligence coordinator for the Wazalendo coalition. The group had recently been integrated into the DRC army's reserve forces, reinforcing collaboration with the FDLR.
Following the M23's capture of Bukavu in South Kivu in February 2025, Gen Mayanga, senior DRC officers, and Wazalendo members fled to Uvira, where the government temporarily relocated the provincial administration.
In early June 2024, Jean-Luc made a secret trip to Kinshasa, for a meeting individuals close to President Tshisekedi and senior DRC security officials. Although the purpose of the visit was not disclosed, it is suspected to have been related to supporting the FDLR.
A month after Jean-Luc's trip, President Tshisekedi's office announced that the DRC intended to host Rwandans temporarily residing in Niger, including Captain Innocent Sagahutu, who in 2017 unsuccessfully attempted to join the FDLR.
However, the DRC government abandoned the plan after a document â€" signed by presidential chief of staff Antony Nkinzo Kamole â€" approving the arrangement was leaked to the public.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/inside-unbroken-ties-between-the-habyarimana-family-and-fdlr
