The Role of the International Community
United Nations
UN Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR)
Initially (Oct. 1993), UNAMIR's mandate was to help implement the Arusha Peace Agreement between the government in Rwanda and the Rwandese Patriotic Front (RPF).
One week after ten Belgian soldiers were murdered, Belgium withdrew its troops from UNAMIR on April 14, 1994. On April 21, 1994 the Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 912 to withdraw most of its UNAMIR troops from Rwanda.
On May 6, 1994 UNAMIR's mandate was expanded to providing protection to civilians and an increased contingent of the troops was approved by Security Council Resolution 918.
However, the Security Council members hesitated in deciding that concrete action should be taken to stop the genocide in Rwanda.
UNAMIR never actually intervened to stop the genocide.
"If the council is going to recommend reinforcement, the reinforcement that goes in has to be well equipped, very mobile, and also able to protect itself. If we do not send in that kind of reinforcement ... then I'm not quite sure they'll be able to bring about a sort of law and order ... that will lead to the end of the massacres ... here we are watching people being deprived of the most fundamental of rights, the right to life, and yet we seem a bit helpless ..." (Kofi Annan, Head of UN Peacekeeping, May 1994)
International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR)
In November 1994, the UN established the ICTR to prosecute persons responsible for the conception, planning and execution of the genocide.
"The success of this court in prosecuting genocide is a historic milestone and a defining example of the ability of the United Nations to create institutions which fulfil the highest aspirations of mankind." (Secretary-General Kofi Annan)
Statements and Interviews
- Kofi Annan's apology speech to the Parliament of Rwanda
- Colonel Luc Marchal (second-in-command for UNAMIR under General Dellaire)
- Iqbal Riza (deputy to Koffi Annan during the Rwanda crisis)
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"Now we know that what we did was not nearly enough--not enough to save Rwanda from itself, not enough to honor the ideals for which the United Nations exists. We will not deny that, in their greatest hour of need, the world failed the people of Rwanda ..." Kofi Annan, UN Secretary-General May 1998 |
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Entrance to the Commandment Center of UNAMIR in Kigali |
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Russian UN soldier in Rwanda |
©
J. M. Clajot
© UN