Who was Félicien Kabuga?

Félicien Kabuga was a former Rwandan businessman accused of playing a central role in financing the 1994 Rwanda genocide, one of Africa’s deadliest mass killings.

Kabuga died in custody on May 16, 2026, at the age of 93 while awaiting legal proceedings linked to genocide charges.

Prosecutors alleged that he helped bankroll the genocide by funding the notorious Interahamwe militia, which carried out mass killings during the 100-day conflict that claimed more than 800,000 lives, mainly among the Tutsi community and moderate Hutus.

Kabuga was also accused of supplying machetes used during the massacres and supporting the extremist RTLM radio station, which broadcast hate messages and incitement to violence.

After evading arrest for more than two decades, he was finally captured in France in 2020.

However, a UN tribunal later ruled him unfit to stand trial due to dementia and declining health.