OWN CORRESPONDENT, Arusha | Wednesday 10.00pm.
A FORMER Rwandan prefect, defending himself against genocide charges, has told the United Nations war crimes tribunal in Arusha that he has “a peaceful conscience”.
Clement Kayishema, a Hutu who has pleaded innocent to 25 counts of genocide, crimes against humanity and murder, said during his eight days of self-defence that most of the 52 people who testified against him had lied.
“I have nothing to blame myself for,” Kayishema said. “I have a peaceful conscience.”
The genocide in 1994, believed to have been planned by the ruling Hutu government, claimed the lives of up to a million Tutsis and moderate Hutus.
Kayeshima, a doctor, was the prefect of Kibuye prefecture in western Rwanda where the killing was among the most intense. From a pre-genocide population of 252,000 Tutsis — the highest concentration in the country — only 7000 to 8000 were left alive in Kibuye by the end of June 1994.
After the genocide began on April 7, Kayishema allegedly toured his prefecture encouraging hunted women, men and children to gather at the main church and stadium in Kibuye town. On Sunday April 17 the prefect ordered the eradication of about 7000 people in the church. The next day he is alleged to have fired the first shot which launched a two-day massacre of about 10000 Tutsis in the stadium.
Kayishema also visited Gishyita where a his close associate, Charles Sindikubwabo, was the mayor. Kayishema, Sindikubwabo and a third man, Alfred Musema, were allegedly involved in the killings on a hill at Bisesero near Gishyita where about 50000 Tutsis who escaped the murders in their towns and villages gathered on the hill with little more than stones, sticks and a few machetes to defend themselves.
There were sporadic killings until May 13 when Hutu militias were brought from more than 100km away. Survivors told investigators that among those who led the attack were Kayishema and Musema who shot into the crowd of refugees.
A total of 52 witnesses, including two journalists and a Catholic nun, described Kayishema’s role in the Kibuye massacres.
“I can only say that I’m praying for them because they have come to say things which most of the time are not right,” Kayishema said. “I am in disagreement with them.”
A three-judge panel adjourned their trial, which began 17 months ago, until October 21, when the prosecution will make its closing argument. Kayeshima faces a life sentence if convicted.