Rwanda: singer Kizito Mihigo buried in Kigali

Text by: RFI Follow

Kizito Mihigo's funeral took place on Saturday February 22 in Kigali, gathering many Rwandans. The gospel singer, known for his commitment to post-genocide reconciliation, was found dead on February 17 in his cell at the Remera police station. He had been arrested four days earlier, accused of wanting to cross the Burundian border illegally to join rebel groups. Authorities speak of suicide.

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With our correspondent in Kigali, Laure Broulard

In the rain, more than a thousand people watch the coffin pass. They came to pay a final tribute to the singer in front of the Ndera church in Kigali. Here, a lot of emotion but also of mistrust. This young woman agrees to testify anonymously ...

" We love his songs so much. They were banished when he was imprisoned for four years. But now people will continue to listen to his songs. We will continue to listen to him, because we love him. "

In the crowd, questions also about the circumstances of the death of Kizito Mihigo . While an investigation has been opened by the Rwandan Investigations Bureau, the results of the autopsy have not yet been released. “ I have always considered him a very gentle person. I really do not know. I don't know what could have pushed him to commit suicide. I saw him as a peaceful man. "

Members of the unrecognized opposition were also present, Diane Rwigara and Victoire Ingabire. No official statement from the Rwandan government, but on Thursday a minister had denounced on Twitter political recoveries from the death of the singer, accused of links with rebel groups.

My song released in March 2014 was really the climax of my message of reconciliation. Come to express compassion for all the victims, not only of the genocide but also of the victims of revenges committed by the RPF, war crimes, crimes against humanity. (…) I couldn't help but release this song. I knew it was going to cause a terrible disagreement with the government, I felt it.

The exceptional testimony of Kizito Mihigo in the documentary "Man of the year" by Benedict Moran

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