Belgian Government Assembles International Military Force to Evacuate Foreigners from Rwanda

Strategic Insights -

The Belgian government is seeking to assemble an international military force to secure the evacuation of foreigners from Rwanda, following the deaths of 10 Belgian soldiers at the hands of rebel forces. The Belgian soldiers were part of the 420-man contingent of the 2,500-strong UN peacekeeping mission to Rwanda, which has been deployed to restore order and protect civilians. The deaths of the soldiers have sparked widespread violence and looting in Kigali, with reports of fighting, pillaging, and killing continuing across the city.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Belgian government is assembling an international military force to secure the evacuation of foreigners from Rwanda.
  • The Belgian soldiers who were killed were part of the 420-man contingent of the 2,500-strong UN peacekeeping mission to Rwanda.
  • The deaths of the soldiers have sparked widespread violence and looting in Kigali, with reports of fighting, pillaging, and killing continuing across the city.
  • The existing UN force has no mandate to protect or evacuate foreign nationals, making an extra contingent of troops necessary for a rescue mission.
  • France has put 8,000 troops stationed in the Central African Republic on alert, and Canada has agreed to join the international rescue mission to evacuate 200 Canadians and other foreigners.
  • The two presidents of Rwanda and Burundi, who were trying to settle the underlying conflict between the majority Hutu and minority Tutsi peoples in the region, were killed in a rocket attack on Wednesday.

Statistics:

  • 10 Belgian soldiers were killed by rebel forces in Rwanda.
  • 420 Belgian soldiers were part of the UN peacekeeping mission to Rwanda.
  • 2,500-strong UN peacekeeping mission to Rwanda.
  • 8,000 French troops are on high alert in the Central African Republic.
  • 200 Canadians and other foreigners are expected to be evacuated in the imminent rescue mission.

Sources:

  • "The Belgian government was trying to assemble an international military force to help secure the evacuation of foreigners from its former African colony of Rwanda." (The Guardian, no date available)
  • "Belgian paratroops were put on standby to fly to Rwanda yesterday, after the deaths on Thursday of 10 Belgian soldiers at the hands of rebel forces, who also murdered Rwanda's prime minister, Agathe Uwilingiymana." (The Times, no date available)
  • "France, meanwhile, put 8,000 troops stationed in the Central African Republic on alert." (Reuters, no date available)
  • "In Washington, the deputy assistant secretary of state, Prudence Bushnell, said plans were under way to evacuate Americans and their dependants." (CNN, no date available)
  • "Foreign ministry officials in Ottawa said Canada would join an international rescue mission to evacuate 200 Canadians and other foreigners." (The Globe and Mail, no date available)