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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?
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
Habyarimana 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.
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:
1. First work SOLO.
2. When given the signal, you can discuss responses with a partner.
3. 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
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
