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Rwandan legislator who 'fought' France over genocide falls to death in Senate

Rwandan legislator who 'fought' France over genocide falls to death in Senate

Rwanda

The Rwandan parliament is mourning the death of Jean de Dieu Mucyo, a senator and former Justice Minister, who died after falling off a stair in the Senate building.

The 55-year-old is well known for his untiring advocacy in efforts aimed at establishing any role that France could have played in the genocide in 1994.

A statement from the parliament read, ‘‘It is with a heavy heart and great sorrow that the Senate of Rwanda announces that Honorable Mucyo Jean de Dieu has passed away this October 3, 2016 in the morning, as a result of stairway fall in the Senate building.’‘

Statement by the President of the Senate MakuzBernard on the death of Senator Hon. Mucyo Jean de Dieu #Rwanda pic.twitter.com/V5FKzUvm4j

— Rwanda Parliament (RwandParliament) October 3, 2016

Local media sources disclosed that after the fall, he was rushed to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Mucyo was once chairman of a commission that accused France of being complicit in preparing and carrying out the genocide which cost the lives of at least 800 thousand Tutsis and Hutus.

The the Mucyo-led commission largely contributed to the tense diplomatic relations between Rwanda and France. It is believed to have led to major crises in 2006 and 2009, with Kigali on both occasions cutting diplomatic ties with Paris.

Mucyo has over the past 20 held senior positions esp in the #Rwandan judiciary, having served as Justice Minister and Prosecutor General

— The New Times (@NewTimesRwanda) October 3, 2016

Before being appointed to senate he was Executive Secretary of RwandaRemembers #RIPMucyo

— The New Times (NewTimesRwanda) October 3, 2016

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