Rwandan authorities have applauded Malawi for the deportation of a genocide fugitive, Theoneste Niyongira alias Kanyoni who was the subject of the country’s National Prosecution Authority-NPPA Indictment and International Arrest Warrant issued on 15 April 2019.
“The NPPA commends Malawi authorities for the deportation of Mr. Niyongira, as well as the collaboration in the effort to fight impunity,” says NPPA Spokesperson, Faustin Nkusi.
He adds Niyongira’s extradition is a significant step in the process of bringing genocide suspects to justice, particularly from African countries.
In a statement, Nkusi further says “the prosecution has charged Niyongira with the crime of genocide against the Tutsi community, committed in the former Ndora Commune, Butare Préfecture.”
A week ago, Homeland Security Minister, Ken Zikhale Ng’oma disclosed receiving a request from Rwanda to locate 55 suspected fugitive warlords believed to be hiding in Malawi.
This followed revelations that another Rwandan genocide suspect, using a Malawian passport, was arrested in South Africa after more than two decades on the run.
In 2019, Malawi extradited another genocide fugitive, Vincent Murekezi who had been hiding in Malawi for 15 years. He was deported after completion of his five-year jail term sentence after he was found guilty of forgery.
