Combating Genocide Denial through Rwanda’s Foreign Policy

Rwanda’s foreign policy is still greatly influenced by the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, commonly referred to as the Rwanda Genocide. Despite the genocidal massacres ending over thirty years ago, the Rwandan government still perceives its continued threat. Despite tangible threats to the state, such as the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) decline, the concern of the genocide’s lasting ideology and denial still concerns Rwandan policymakers responsible for the nation’s foreign policy and remembrance. This research relies on in-depth fieldwork with various Rwandan government agencies responsible for crafting state security, foreign policy, and anti-genocide policies. It examines why genocide denial is perceived as a significant threat to the nation’s post-genocide development. Rwandan elites attempt to combat historical revisions of the genocide through its diplomatic officials and events. Additionally, Rwanda utilises various tactics, such as censorship and capturing genocide deniers, to combat denial.