Resignation of Stanislas Mbonampeka, Minister of Justice

On 30 November 1992, Stanislas Mbonampeka, the Minister of Justice in the Rwandan government, resigned from his position in protest of the government’s refusal to prosecute Léon Mugesera for his incendiary speech in Kabaya, where Mugesera had called for the extermination of Tutsi.

Key Details:

1. Mbonampeka’s Resignation:
   • Stanislas Mbonampeka resigned after his repeated calls for the prosecution of Léon Mugesera, who had openly incited ethnic violence against Tutsi in Rwanda, were ignored by the government. Mugesera’s speech, delivered on 22 November 1992, had urged Hutu to kill Tutsi and throw their bodies into the Nyabarongo River, further fueling ethnic tensions and violence.
   • Mbonampeka, who was in charge of the justice system, was deeply troubled by the government’s failure to take action against such inflammatory rhetoric. His resignation was a clear statement of his disagreement with the government’s inaction in the face of such dangerous speech.
2. Government’s Refusal to Prosecute Mugesera:
   • The Rwandan government, led by President Habyarimana, did not pursue legal action against Mugesera for his role in inciting genocide, despite the clear and explicit nature of his speech. This inaction signaled the government’s tacit approval of the growing ethnic hatred and militarization of the Hutu extremist ideology.
   • The refusal to prosecute Mugesera was part of a broader strategy by the government and its allies to align with Hutu extremist factions who were preparing for the genocide.
3. Impact of Mbonampeka’s Resignation:
   • Mbonampeka’s resignation was seen as an act of principled defiance against the government’s policies and a response to the escalating ethnic tensions in Rwanda. It highlighted the moral and ethical conflicts within the government, with some members expressing concern about the direction the country was headed, while others remained complicit in fostering a climate of hatred and division.
   • His resignation also underscored the deterioration of Rwanda’s judicial independence and the politicization of the justice system, as the refusal to prosecute Mugesera was politically motivated, meant to protect Hutu extremists and prevent a potential challenge to their growing power.
4. Mbonampeka’s Legacy:
   • Stanislas Mbonampeka’s resignation was a significant moment in the lead-up to the Rwandan Genocide. His actions reflected the tension between those in the government who were trying to maintain a semblance of legal and moral integrity and those who supported the genocidal agenda.
   • Although his resignation did not stop the genocide from unfolding, it is remembered as a courageous stance against a government complicit in the preparation of mass violence. Mbonampeka’s departure from his post underscored the moral collapse of the Rwandan leadership in the years leading up to the 1994 Genocide.

Conclusion:

The 30 November 1992 resignation of Stanislas Mbonampeka was a critical moment in the Rwandan conflict, driven by the government’s failure to act against incitement to violence by figures like Léon Mugesera. Mbonampeka’s departure illustrated the deepening political crisis in Rwanda and the growing influence of extremist factions within the government, which would eventually contribute to the tragic events of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. His resignation serves as a reminder of the moral and legal obligations of those in power to prevent hatred and violence, even when it is politically inconvenient.