Bones found in Rwanda dam

A VALLEY dam that authorities in Rwanda say could contain bones of about 30 000 victims has been discovered more than a quarter-century after the country’s genocide in which 800 000 ethnic Tutsi and Hutus who tried to protect them were killed.

The discovery is being called the most significant in years, and 50 bodies have been exhumed so far in efforts that are challenged by the East African nation’s coronavirus-related lockdown.

Rwanda today marks the 26th anniversary of the genocide, but because of the coronavirus lockdown the country will follow events on television and social media, as gatherings are banned.

Word of the valley dam and the bones it held emerged as many people convicted in the genocide are being released from prison after serving their sentences, and offering new information on mass graves.

“The challenge we face now is that the valley dam contains water, but we are trying to dry it up,” an official said. The valley is situated outside the capital Kigali, in the east of the country.