Eliézer Niyitegeka

Eliézer Niyitegeka (born 12 March 1952 in Kibuye prefecture, Rwanda – 28 March 2018) was a journalist, former politician, and high level participant in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. After studying journalism in Romania, Niyitegeka became first a journalist and presenter with Radio Rwanda and subsequently a Member of Parliament, then executive in a textile company and businessman. In 1991, with the coming of multi party democracy to Rwanda, he was one of the founding members of the opposition party, the Republican Democratic Movement (MDR). MDR advocated democracy, individual freedoms, the reunion of Rwandans regardless of ethnic considerations, and the end of violence. Its motto, as shown in the party's statute, was: "Liberty, Justice and Work. From 1991 till 1994, he was President of the MDR in Kibuye prefecture. Niyitegeka also held a seat in the national political headquarters of his party.

Niyitegeka was the object of attacks because of his opinions and his position within the MDR. In March 1992, grenades were thrown at him at Gitega, as he was passing in his vehicle. After the signing of the Arusha power-sharing protocols, in January 1993, Niyitegeka's garage and petrol station in Nyabugogo, Gatsyata, were pillaged during protests organised by the MRND. In the second half of 1993, Niyitegeka was assaulted after chairing a political rally in Kibuye, when passing through Birambo.

On 9 April 1994, he was appointed Minister of Information. He held this position until the time he fled Rwanda in mid-July 1994. where he died on 28 March 2018.