Survivors demand justice as Western Province probes former EAFO Nyamishaba students over Genocide role
On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at the Rwanda Polytechnic, Karongi College a memorial event was held to honor students and staff who were killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The event commemorated victims from the former schools of ETO Kibuye and EAFO Nyamishaba.
According to research conducted by RP, Karongi, College, the Vice Principal, Manirabona Leonard, stated that 13 people were killed at ETO Kibuye, and around 70 were killed at EAFO Nyamishaba — both students and staff.
He added that initial findings indicate some of the perpetrators included fellow students, specifically displaced students(commonly known at the time as “Deplacés (de guerre)”) who had fled conflict elsewhere and were studying at EAFO Nyamishaba.
Some survivors who studied at EAFO Nyamishaba are now calling on authorities to pursue justice against their former classmates who allegedly participated in the killings. Nyiratunga Epiphanie, a former student, said:
“We identified some of the displaced students who were here with us during that time and are still searching for others so they can be held accountable.”
She added that even before the genocide began, these students were already showing signs of ethnic discrimination and incited protests against the then-school headmaster, Mr. Gatete Frederic, accusing him of being a collaborator with the RPF (Inkotanyi) and claiming he had ordered trenches to be dug for them.
These displaced students reportedly harassed Tutsi students, often telling them their days were numbered.
Governor of Western Province, Jean Bosco Ntibitura, responded to the testimonies by saying:
“After hearing what the survivors shared — including names of former classmates suspected of participating in the genocide — we instructed Karongi District authorities to gather those names. We will collaborate with other institutions to investigate and ensure that those found guilty face justice.”
Gashonga Jean Claude
