Rwanda’s Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Dr. Jean Damascène Bizimana, met with Abubacarr Tambadou, Registrar of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT), and his delegation to discuss ongoing cooperation.
The discussions, announced on the ministry’s X account on March 30, 2026, focused on strengthening collaboration and ensuring that the Mechanism’s remaining responsibilities are fully executed before its closure.
Although the IRMCT office in Rwanda closed on August 31, 2024, after transferring the Félicien Kabuga trial to The Hague and confirming the deaths of other fugitives, Tambadou said the closure does not end cooperation with Rwanda.
“Closing our office does not mark the end of our collaboration. We will continue working together on various initiatives, now coordinated from Arusha, Tanzania,” he said.
The UN Security Council reviews the IRMCT’s mandate every two years. The current mandate expires on June 30, 2026, after which the council will decide whether to extend it or transfer remaining responsibilities to other UN bodies.
The visit comes as Rwanda prepares to mark the 32nd commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
