Rwanda reacts to UK charges against Bajinya in Genocide case

The government of Rwanda has welcomed the United Kingdom’s decision to charge a Rwandan genocide suspect over his alleged involvement in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, describing the development as a long-overdue step towards accountability.

The accused, Dr Vincent Bajinya, also known as Vincent Brown, is a Rwandan who has been living in the UK since 1999.

According to the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Bajinya has been charged with one offence of conduct ancillary to genocide and six offences of conduct ancillary to murder as a crime against humanity.

Commenting on the development, Rwanda’s government spokesperson, Yolande Makolo, said the country welcomed the charges but urged the UK to move faster on the remaining cases.

“We welcome the arrest in the United Kingdom of Dr Vincent Brown aka Vincent Bajinya. This step towards accountability is long overdue, after two decades of legal proceedings, followed by a seven-year investigation. We urge the UK to expedite the remaining cases of the suspects of crimes committed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.”

Rwanda first notified the UK government of the presence of five genocide suspects on British soil in 2007 and subsequently issued indictments against them.

The suspects were arrested and appeared in a series of extradition proceedings. However, British courts ultimately ruled against their extradition to Rwanda, citing concerns that they would not receive a fair trial if sent back to the country. The UK has since continued investigating the cases.

Rwanda has repeatedly called for action

The latest development comes after years of calls by Rwanda for the UK to prosecute, extradite or otherwise bring to justice genocide suspects residing in Britain.

In 2025, Rwanda’s High Commissioner to the UK, Johnston Busingye, reiterated the call for action against six Rwandan genocide suspects who, at the time, were believed to remain in the UK.

The call was made as members of the Rwandan community in the UK began the 31st commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi under the theme, “Remember, Unite, Renew.”

“Allowing the survivors to see justice served during their lifetime is a big relief,” Busingye said.

He noted that several Western countries, including the United States, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, France and Sweden, had deported, extradited or tried genocide suspects found on their territories.

UK acknowledged delays

The UK government has previously acknowledged concerns over the length of time taken to bring the cases to court.

In October 2024, then British High Commissioner to Rwanda Alison Thorpe said the UK’s justice process concerning Rwandan genocide suspects had been moving slowly, while insisting that investigations were active.

“On the genocidaires in the UK, I acknowledge that the wheels of UK justice seem to be turning really slowly. Though I can absolutely assure you that they are definitely turning,” Thorpe said during a press conference at the British High Commission in Kigali.