On April 9, 1994, the third day of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, the genocidal government intensified its campaign to exterminate Tutsis across the country.
According to an account by Jean Damascène Bizimana, Rwanda’s Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, French forces launched what they called “Operation Amaryllis,” aimed at evacuating French nationals and other foreigners from Rwanda. However, they left behind Tutsis who were being massacred by Interahamwe militias and government forces.
French troops reportedly witnessed killings but did not intervene, focusing instead on evacuating their citizens. At Kanombe International Airport, many Tutsis were abandoned and later killed by militias.
Some Tutsis who had managed to board evacuation vehicles were reportedly forced out at roadblocks and killed in front of French soldiers. Mixed families, particularly those involving Rwandans and French nationals, were separated, and Rwandan spouses and children were often left behind.
The report also states that the French Embassy sheltered members of the former regime, including relatives of Juvénal Habyarimana and individuals associated with extremist networks known as the “Akazu.” Tutsis who attempted to seek refuge at the embassy were reportedly turned away and killed.
Children of former Prime Minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana, who had been killed two days earlier, were also denied evacuation, while some individuals linked to the genocidal regime were reportedly assisted.
Among those evacuated were figures such as Félicien Kabuga and Ferdinand Nahimana, both later associated with organizing and inciting the genocide through the RTLM radio.
On the same day, a genocidal government was consolidated. Following meetings led by Théoneste Bagosora at the French Embassy, extremist political leaders appointed Théodore Sindikubwabo as President and Jean Kambanda as Prime Minister. This government coordinated the implementation of genocide nationwide.
Mass killings also took place at the Catholic parish of Saint Vincent Pallotti in Gikondo, Kigali, where around 500 Tutsis who had sought refuge were killed by Interahamwe and government soldiers.
United Nations peacekeepers witnessed the killings, including those of children, but were unable to intervene. On the same day, other atrocities included the burning alive of Tutsis in Nyakabanda and mass killings in multiple regions including Kibungo, Kigali, Ruhengeri, and Kibuye.
In areas such as Kayonza, Gasabo, Nyagatare, and Gatsibo, thousands of Tutsis who had fled to hills, churches, and public centers were hunted down and killed. In some locations, entire communities were wiped out, with deaths reaching into the thousands in the following days.
The French newspaper Libération was among the first to describe the events as genocide, in reporting by journalist Philippe Ceppi, who was present in Rwanda at the time.
Across the country, killings were systematic and targeted all Tutsis, many of whom had sought refuge in churches believing they would be safe.