The association Survie reveals an unknown episode of the genocide in Rwanda. In a report published Thursday, March 24, 2022, the organization reveals unpublished notes from the DGSE, French foreign intelligence. Documents written between May and August 1994, addressed to the highest French authorities in Paris, which update the involvement of French mercenaries Paul Barril and Bob Denard, to support the genocidal Hutu government.
According to French intelligence, Paul Barril, Bob Denard and their men collaborated closely with the Rwandan genocidal authorities, who had taken refuge in France, and in particular Agathe Habyarimana, the widow of the former Rwandan president, whose murder was the trigger for the genocide. The two mercenaries are said to have signed contracts with the interim Rwandan government, provided training and weapons to the genocidal forces.
They were also preparing actions, notably against Kigali airport. Facts and gestures closely followed by the DGSE which informed the Elysee, the Prime Minister’s office and several French ministries in real time.
The French executive is aware that French mercenaries are going to Rwanda. They are Bob Denard and his men, and Paul Barril as well. The French executive pretended for years that he knew nothing. This is a lie. And the Habyarimana family is at the heart of the attempts to rearma, to circumvent the embargo.
François Crétollier, co-author of the Survie report
” A tacit agreement »
According to Survivalthere was ” a tacit agreement between the highest French authorities and these mercenaries, as part of a ” indirect strategy of support to the Rwandan interim government “. Denard, Barril and the others were therefore not free electrons “, according to the NGO.
However, Survie wonders about ” invisibility of these mercenaries in the various reports on the role of France during the genocide. In particular that of the Duclert Commission, delivered a year ago, which had pointed to a ” overwhelming responsibility ” from Paris.
This Commission had access to the same notes from French intelligence, but Survie says that it has them ” neglected “. In its final reportthe lawyer Vincent Duclert and his team have according to Survie, ” passed over in silence » the role of mercenaries. The organization denounces a desire to conceal incriminating evidence “.
” The Commission did not hide the notes of the DGSE at all »
Faced with these accusations, the historian was quick to react. He denies having concealed the role of the mercenaries: The Commission did not hide the notes from the DGSE at all, he reacts. I refer to pages 501, 1099, 1102, 1196 of the report. The Research Commission has also measured the full importance of these notes, any links between these authorities and these mercenaries are questioned by the Commission. Conducting a research dossier as researchers do implies not being satisfied with a single source, even from the DGSE. So, to question other archives, to cross-check the documents. However, the Commission did not have the time to carry out such work. She was unable to obtain in time other archival funds allowing her to work as a historian by attesting to verified knowledge.. »
According to him, the Survival report is not rigorous enough. ” All of this is explained on page 36 of the methodological presentation which has been made public. And there, the problem, it is that Survie did not have to read this important development of the Commission before carrying out its report of 17 pages. It is not enough to exhibit a few documents, to denounce the misdeeds of the Duclert Commission and to neglect the methodological clarifications to make the historiandefends Vincent Duclert. So I’m actually expecting the Survival post to mention our focus, rather than glossing over it, certainly unintentionally. They actually worked too short and too fast, but it’s still very embarrassing for the authors of the publication. »
Vincent Duclert, President of the Research Commission on French Archives relating to Rwanda and the Tutsi Genocide (1990-1994)