Cameroon: The existence of a community of citizens of Rwandan origin since 1994; their location and ethnic background and relations with other Rwandan citizens who live in Cameroon (1994-October 2001)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 17 October 2001 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | CMR37854.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Cameroon: The existence of a community of citizens of Rwandan origin since 1994; their location and ethnic background and relations with other Rwandan citizens who live in Cameroon (1994-October 2001), 17 October 2001, CMR37854.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3df4be2028.html [accessed 19 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to a 21 April 1999 Associated Press article, "scores of Rwandan Hutu politician and leaders sought refugee in Cameroon after Tutsi rebels won power in July 1994 and at 3, 000 Rwandan are refugees in the central African nation." The same source added that, "arrangements to fly ex- foreign Minister Clement- Jérôme Bicamumpaka, minister of Public Works Prosper Mugiraneza and Minister of Commerce Justine Mugenzi to the [U.N] tribunal in Arusha, Tanzania were being completed." (Ibid.). The three former Ministers were suspected of being involved in the 1994 genocide (Ibid.).
Among other Rwandan officials who fled to Cameroon after the 1994 genocide and who were arrested or detained include Col. Theoneste Bagosora (The Independent 14 Feb. 1997; AP 25 Feb. 1997), Jean- Bosco Barayagwiza, Laurent Semanza, Col. Félicien Mubenka, Michel Bakuzakundi, Jean-Baptiste Butera, Pasteur Musabe, Augustin Ruzindana; Telesport Bizimungu (Ibid.), Col. Anatole Nsengiyumva, Ferdinand Nahimana (AFP 1 Apr. 1996; AP 1 Apr. 1996), Felicien Muberuka and former Minister of Transport André Ntagerura (AP 1 Apr. 1996).
Information on the location of Rwandan citizens who went in Cameroon after 1994 and their relations with other Rwandans in Cameroon could not been found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Agence France Presse (AFP). 1 April 1996. "Kigali Calls for Extradition of 11 Arrested Officials." (NEXIS)
Associated Press (AP). 21 April 1999. "Cameroon to Extradite Three Suspects in Rwanda Genocide." (NEXIS).
_____. 1 April 1996. "Tumanjong, Emmanuel. "Cameroon Arrests Rwandans Suspected in Mass Killings." (NEXIS)
_____. Tumanjong, Emmnuel. 21 February 1997. "Court Orders 8 Detained Rwandan Genocide Suspected Free." (NEXIS)
The Independent [London]. 14 February 1997. "Trial to Start for the Men Who Organised Genocide." (NEXIS)
Additional Sources Consulted
No response to a 5 October 2000 letter requesting information to the Office of the UNHCR branch officer has been received yet.
Africa Confidential 2001.
IRB Database.
Jeune Afrique/L'intelligent 1994-2001.
LEXIS/NEXIS.
Resources Centre country file 1994-2001.
West Africa 1994-2001.
Web sites, including:
Amnesty International
FIDH online.
Human Rights Watch (HRW).
Le Messager [Douala].
Missionnary Service News Agency (MISNA).
Panafrican News Agency (PANA).
Relief Web.
Worldwide Refugee Information. Cameroon.
