Agathe Uwilingiyimana

Biography

Agathe Uwilingiyimana was born on May 23, 1953, in Nyaruhengeri commune, southern Rwanda — a moderate Hutu who defied the extremist consensus of her era. She was Rwanda's first female Prime Minister, appointed in July 1993, and was known for her commitment to the Arusha Accords and political reconciliation. Her appointment was opposed by Hutu extremists who viewed her moderation as treason. She survived one assassination attempt before April 1994 when extremists broke into her home and assaulted her. On the morning of April 7, 1994 — the day after the presidential assassination — Uwilingiyimana was attempting to walk to Radio Rwanda to broadcast a message calling for calm. She was constitutionally the acting head of state. Presidential Guard soldiers and Interahamwe surrounded her house. Ten Belgian UN peacekeepers who had been assigned to escort her were captured, tortured for hours, and shot. Uwilingiyimana and her husband were found hiding in the UN compound next door and were killed. She was 40 years old. Her five children were hidden by UN staff and survived. She is remembered as a martyr for moderation and one of the genocide's first victims.

Key Battles