He was appointed prime minister by the Hutu president in an effort to stop some Tutsis from fighting with his government.
During this period, in contact with Clement Kayishema, Obed Ruzindana, and Aloys Ndimbati, amongst others, he facilitated the murders of Tutsis who sought refuge in the Bisesero hills.
Responsibility for the assassinations has never been clearly established, however, the resulting chaos was the catalyst for the masacre of Tutsis at the hands of Rwanda's Hutu majority.