Paul Kagame was less-Popular than Gen. Fred Gisa Rwigema. Was he the mastermind behind his asssassination?

Paul Kagame was less-Popular than Gen. Fred Gisa Rwigema. Was he the mastermind behind his asssassination?

Paul Kagame was less-Popular than Gen. Fred Gisa Rwigema. Was he the mastermind behind his asssassination?

There is no definitive, universally accepted evidence that Paul Kagame killed Fred Gisa Rwigyema. His death remains one of the most controversial events in Rwandan history, with several conflicting accounts regarding who was responsible.

Prominent accounts suggest Rwigyema was killed by his subcommander, Peter Bayingana, due to disputes over military tactics. Some narratives allege that Paul Kagame was involved in the planning of this internal assassination to take control of the rebellion.

Some critics and former RPF members allege that Kagame orchestrated the assassination to seize control of the RPF. These accounts often claim Kagame used a specialized hit squad (sometimes called the “Cowboys”) or subordinates like James Kabarebe to carry out the killing.

At the time of Rwigyema’s death, Paul Kagame was physically in the United States attending a military training course at Fort Leavenworth. He returned to Africa only after learning of Rwigyema’s death to take command of the struggling RPF forces.