Was the purpose of Operation Turquoise in Rwanda military or humanitarian? “If it begins with very strict instructions of neutrality vis-à-vis the belligerents, the first source of threat that is identified is nevertheless that which would constitute the Rwandan Patriotic Front” (RPF, mostly made up of Tutsi from Uganda), can we read in conclusion of the Duclert report on the role of France in Rwanda (1990-1993) which was given to Emmanuel Macron on Friday March 26: “It saved many lives, but not those of the vast majority of Tutsi exterminated in the first weeks of the genocide. Research therefore establishes a set of responsibilities, heavy and overwhelming. “
Officer of the Rapid Action Force seconded to a unit of the Foreign Legion, Guillaume Ancel participated in Operation Turquoise led by France from June 22, 1994 under UN mandate. For several years – and in particular in his book Rwanda, the end of silence. Testimony of a French officer (Les Belles Lettres, 2018) -, he denounces the role of Turquoise. After leaving the army with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, Guillaume Ancel now works in the private sector.
How do you feel after reading the Duclert commission report?
I am moved. We finally have light after a long tunnel of twenty-seven years of denial and lies. We owe it first of all to the determination of journalists, researchers, historians and jurists who did not allow a reason of state to be imposed when it failed. I also want to salute the determination of Emmanuel Macron, who had the courage to bring this truth to light. Now is the end of the silence.
This truth is that this genocide of the Tutsi which killed a million people was committed by the allies of France. The truth is also that this is the only genocide we could have prevented. The truth is, finally, that this support from which the genocidaires benefited was piloted by François Mitterrand and his circle, which included Hubert Védrine, then secretary general of the Elysee. By proving the overwhelming responsibility of this particular staff, the commission marks a decisive step in the public knowledge of this French disaster which could not remain buried any longer.
This Elyos circle lied by inventing, for example, the thesis of the second genocide in order to mitigate its responsibility in the first. When I listen to Hubert Védrine say that he has “Perfectly done” and that he would remake “The same political thing”, I am ashamed of his indecency.
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