The rector of the University of Edinburgh has been accused of genocide denial, sparking a formal apology to the Rwandan government.
Lord rector Debora Kayembe claimed on Twitter that the current Rwandan president had "orchestrated" the genocide against the country's minority Tutsi population.
The 1994 genocide, where around 800,000 Tutsis were killed in 100 days, is considered to be one of the worst crimes against humanity in history.
President Paul Kagame was leader of the Rwandan Patriot Front, and defeated Hutu extremists before being elected to his current role in 2000.
The university has denied it shared her views and has apologised, with a meeting to be held today.
In a now-deleted tweet, Kayembe said: "Mr prime minister @BorisJohnson;we've reach the bottom of evil;should I remind you that the genocide of in £rwanda was orchestrated by £Kagame God luck with your plans".
She was tweeting in reference to the UK Government's widely condemned plans to send refugees to Rwanda to claim asylum there.
Peter Mathieson, the principal of the university sent a letter to the country's high commissioner to the UK Johnston Busingye, in which he said the institution recognised "the hurt caused by the rector's statements, and the extreme hurt and pernicious destabilisation that genocide denialism can cause to all Rwandans".
Mr Mathieson wrote: "We recognise that the genocide against the Tutsi is a fact of history and represents one of the most appalling crimes against humanity committed in the course of history.
"We reject outright the notion that President [Paul] Kagame was in any way responsible.
"In fact, it is historical fact that Paul Kagame led the liberation of Rwanda from the guilty regime."
Pledging to support the university's Rwandan community, the principal said individuals would be offered a meeting with the chaplaincy and said that the institution was "attending to our many collaborators and partners in Rwanda to reassure them of our position and offer additional support if necessary".
The university has said the rector's comments were "her personal views" and that managers were "looking at the formal procedures available".
Mr Mathieson added the matter would be reported to the University Court at a meeting on Monday.
Rwanda's high commission in the UK tweeted out a copy of the letter and accused Kayembe of making comments which "spread disinformation about and denial of the genocide against the Tutsi".
Kayembe, a former board member of the Scottish Refugee Council, was elected rector in 2021 and is the first black person to hold the position.
She was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and claimed asylum in the UK in 2005.
Around 800,000 people were killed in just 100 days of violence in Rwanda in 1994, most were from the ethnic minority Tutsi community.
A spokesperson for Edinburgh University said: "We do not share Debora Kayembe's views, which were made in a personal capacity.
"The University of Edinburgh - in step with the UN, multi-national organisations, and nations all over the world - acknowledges the Genocide against the Tutsi as one of the most appalling crimes against humanity, and rejects outright the notion that the Rwandan government and its sitting President are responsible.
"At this moment of Kwibuka commemorations in Rwanda, the University stands with the Rwandan people in its remembrance of those who have been lost.
"The University acted swiftly to clarify the role of the Rector and to underline the University's position.
"The concerns raised will be reported to the University's governing body - the University Court - when it meets on Monday.
"We are also reaching out to our Rwandan students to ensure they are fully supported at this difficult time."
Kayembe has been approached for comment.
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