Kigali, Rwanda – (African Boulevard News) – A man accused of playing a major role in the genocide in Rwanda is seeking asylum in South Africa after being arrested last month. Fulgence Kayishema, who has been on the run for 22 years, was taken into custody near Cape Town.
Kayishema was a former mayor of the Kivumu district during the 1994 genocide that left 800,000 people dead, mostly minority Tutsis. He was arrested on June 14 by the South Africa police, following the extradition request made by the Rwandan government.
Kayishema’s lawyer, John Smith, has confirmed that his client will be applying for asylum in South Africa. “Mr. Kayishema has suffered greatly and fears he will be mistreated if he is returned to Rwanda,” Smith said. “He is seeking asylum to protect himself from persecution and torture.”
South Africa’s Home Affairs Ministry has not yet released a statement regarding Kayishema’s asylum request. According to the country’s asylum laws, an individual can apply for asylum if they are fleeing their home country due to persecution or fear of persecution, on the basis of their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
Kayishema’s arrest in South Africa was hailed as a significant victory for the Rwandan government, which has been seeking justice for the genocide’s victims. The Rwandan government has worked tirelessly for more than two decades to bring perpetrators of the genocide to justice.
However, Kayishema’s asylum request in South Africa complicates the Rwandan government’s efforts to pursue justice. While South Africa has been praised for its stance on human rights, it has also been criticized for providing a safe haven to suspected war criminals.
The Rwandan government has remained silent on Kayishema’s asylum request, but Justice Minister Johnston Busingye has urged South Africa to cooperate with Rwanda in bringing the perpetrators of the genocide to justice. “We hope that South Africa will continue to support our pursuit of justice for the victims of the genocide,” he said.
Kayishema’s case remains a poignant reminder of the atrocities that occurred during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. The international community must continue to work together to ensure that those responsible for these heinous crimes are held accountable.
In conclusion, Fulgence Kayishema’s asylum request in South Africa has thrown the Rwandan government’s pursuit of justice into disarray. South Africa’s response to Kayishema’s request remains to be seen, but it is clear that justice for the victims of the genocide must be a top priority.
