100 Days in 1994

The Warning General Romeo Dallaire sends a message to UN leaders declaring he has information from an informant that Hutu extremists have a plan for extermination Kofi Annan, then leader of the UN’s Peacekeeping Forces, is skeptical; advises Dallaire not to take action Hutu extremists believe that if they act, the UN won’t intervene

The Warning Frontline: Ghosts of Rwanda - Excerpt 1: The Warning (12:58) While watching… Think back to earlier in the course when you focused on intervention… what points of view does the video offer about intervention? The United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda was a mission instituted by the United Nations to aid the implementation of the Arusha Accords, signed August 4, 1993, which were meant to end the Rwandan Civil War. The mission lasted from October 1993 to March 1996. Its activities were meant to aid the peace process between the Hutu-dominated Rwandese government and the Tutsi-dominated rebel Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF).

IN LIGHT OF THE STATEMENT “NEVER AGAIN” AFTER THE HOLOCAUST, WHY MIGHT THIS NOT BE THE CASE FOR RWANDA?

April 6, 1994: The catalyst Presidents of Rwanda and Burundi die in a plane crash Extremists, suspecting that the President is finally about to implement the Arusha Peace Accords, are believed to be behind the attack Accord signed by Habyaramana and RPF in Arusha, Tanzania That night the killing begins The orders come from highest political level – from ministers, council leaders, the Presidential Guard and Rwandan army soldiers. All are determined to exploit ethnicity in order to hang onto power. Habyarimana

April 7, 1994 The Rwandan Armed Forces (FAR) and the Interhamwe set up roadblocks and go from house to house killing Tutsis and moderate Hutu politicians. Thousands die on the first day. UN forces stand by while the slaughter goes on. They are forbidden to intervene because this would breach their mandate to monitor. ESTIMATED DEATH TOLL: 8,000

April 8, 1994 RPF launches a major offensive to end the genocide and rescue 600 of its troops surrounded in Kigali. The troops had been in the city as part of the Arusha Accords. April 11, 1994 ESTIMATED DEATH TOLL: 32,000

April 21, 1994: DAY 14 UN cuts forces from 2,500 to 250 following murder of 10 Belgian soldiers assigned to guard the moderate Hutu prime minister, Agathe Uwiliyingimana. The guards had been told not to resist violently by the UN force commander because this would breach their mandate.   ESTIMATED DEATH TOLL: 112,000

Extension Activity Read handout “Friendship Ended with Genocide” from www.survivors-fund.org.uk Respond to discussion questions: First work SOLO. When given the signal, you can discuss responses with a partner. Be prepared to share your responses with the rest of the class.

April 30, 1994 The UN Security Council spends eight hours discussing the Rwandan crisis. The resolution condemning the killing omits the word “genocide.” Pope John Paul II on April 27 is first to use “genocide” to describe situation Had term been used, UN would have been legally obliged to act to “prevent and punish” perpetrators. Meanwhile tens of thousands of refugees flee into Tanzania, Burundi and Zaire. In one day 250,000 Rwandans, mainly Hutus fleeing the advance of the RPF, cross the border into Tanzania. ESTIMATED DEATH TOLL: 168,000

Travelling to the refugee camps Approximately 2 million Hutus (both those who were victims and perpetrators) fled Rwanda for refugee camps in neighbouring countries (e.g. Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo), Tanzania, and Burundi)

Crowded entrance to refugee camp in Zaire-Congo

May 17, 1994 As the slaughter of Tutsis continues the UN agrees to send 6800 troops and policemen to Rwanda with powers to defend civilians. A UN Security Council resolution says “acts of genocide may have been committed.” Deployment of forces is delayed because of arguments over who will pay and provide the equipment. The US (President Bill Clinton) argues with the UN over the cost of providing heavy armoured vehicles for the peacekeeping forces. ESTIMATED DEATH TOLL: 310,000

Reporter: “How many acts of genocide does it take to make a genocide?’ The US State Department – On June 10th 1994, at a US State Department briefing, State Department spokesperson Christine Shelley said the USA believed ‘acts of genocide’ had occurred in Rwanda. Reporter: “How many acts of genocide does it take to make a genocide?’ Shelley: ‘That’s just not a question that I’m in a position to answer.’ Reporter: ‘Well, is it true that you have specific guidance not to use the word ‘genocide’ in isolation, but always to preface it with these words ‘acts of’?’ Shelley: ‘I have guidance which I try to use as best as I can. There are formulations that we are using that we are trying to be consistent in our use of. I don’t have an absolute categorical prescription against something, but I have the definitions. I have phraseology which has been carefully examined and arrived at as best as we can apply to exactly the situation and the actions which have taken place ... ‘ (Source: www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/evil/etc/slaughter.html)

June 22, 1994 With still no sign of UN deployment, the Security Council authorizes the deployment of French forces in south-west Rwanda. They create a “safe area” in territory controlled by the government. Killing of Tutsis continues in the safe area, although some are protected by the French. ESTIMATED DEATH TOLL: 616,000

July 1994 RPF captures Kigali, Rwanda’s capital. Hutu government flees to Zaire, followed by a tide of refugees. RPF sets up an interim government of national unity in Kigali. JULY 17 – GENOCIDE ‘OFFICIALLY’ OVER. Cholera epidemic sweeps the refugee camps in Zaire, killing thousands. Different UN agencies clash over reports that RPF troops have carried out reprisal killings in Rwanda. Several hundred civilians are said to have been executed. Meanwhile the killing of Tutsis continues in refugee camps. ESTIMATED DEATH TOLL: 800,000

August 1994 New Rwandan government agrees to trials before an international tribunal established by the UN Security Council. November 1994 UN Security Council establishes an international tribunal to oversee prosecution of suspects