1994 Rwandan genocide testimony by Sophie Dukuzemariya

Sophie Dukuzemariya, a girl from Kabirizi Cellule, Nyakogo Sector of Commune Masango in Gitarama Prefecture, describes how her family left their home on April 23, 1994, divided themselves in two groups, and sought refuge among relatives . One group went to Sheshi in Commune Murama, while the other group went to Ngarama. Murama was later attacked by Interahamwe from Commune Masango. The family reunited in Ntungamo. Sophie and a few family members escaped to Samba in Commune Mukingi. They came across the Interahamwe, but avoided detection by hiding in a forest. She witnessed Interahamwe being ferried in vehicles and carrying containers full of gasoline. These Interahamwe surrounded people hiding in the forest, but the refugees united and fought back using stones. The refuges were later overpowered and arrested. Sophie saw her cousin, who was carrying a newborn, clubbed on the head. She was left bloodied, but had to go while carrying the baby. One Interahamwe wanted to rape Sophie but another intervened and saved her, arguing that she was a child. Sophie ended up being in charge of other children who survived after their mothers had been killed. She recalls homes belonging to Tutsi either destroyed or razed to the ground, livestock stolen, and Tutsi's insulted.