World

France accused of involvement in genocide

A new report from the Rwandan government says France played an active role in the 1994 genocide.

France's foreign ministry has refused to comment the report, saying it is waiting to see the document.

The report alleges that France was aware of preparations for the genocide, contributed to planning the massacres and actively took part in the killing.

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It named former French prime minister Edouard Balladur, former foreign minister Alain Juppe and late former president Francois Mitterrand among 13 French politicians accused of playing a role in the massacres.

The report also names 20 military officials.

The 1994 genocide in the central African nation left around 800,000 people, mainly minority Tutsis and moderate Hutus dead, according to the United Nations.

Justice Minister Tharcisse Karugarama presented the report to the press in Kigali, more than two years after a special commission began probing France's role in the genocide.

France has acknowledged making "mistakes" in Rwanda but denies any responsibility for the killing spree.

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