Rwanda Crisis Deepens: UN Secretary General Calls for Forceful Action to End Massacres

Strategic Insights -

As hundreds of thousands of Rwandan refugees flood into Tanzania to escape the violence in their country, United Nations Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali has urged the Security Council to consider taking action to restore law and order and put an end to the massacres. With estimates suggesting that as many as 200,000 people may have been killed in the last three weeks alone, the situation in Rwanda continues to deteriorate, with reports of preparations for further massacres and ethnic fighting spreading to neighboring countries.

Key Takeaways:

  • The United Nations Secretary General, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, has called on the Security Council to consider taking forceful action to restore law and order and end the massacres in Rwanda.
  • The current peacekeeping force of 450 soldiers in Kigali is "unable to bring the massacres under control," according to the Secretary General.
  • Estimates suggest that as many as 200,000 people may have been killed in the last three weeks alone, with hundreds of thousands more fleeing to Tanzania.
  • The Secretary General has asked the Council to "re-examine" its decision to cut the peacekeeping force from 2,500 to just 270 soldiers.
  • The Council should consider sending an extensive force to end the killings, as favored by third world members, but rejected by the United States and other Western members.
  • The International Committee of the Red Cross estimates that the number of refugees could swell to over 500,000.
  • The High Commissioner for Refugees has reported that at least 50,000 more Rwandans are waiting to cross an unguarded bridge into Tanzania, with fears that 250,000 who have already left represent only the start of a far larger movement.

Statistics:

  • Estimated 200,000 people killed in the last three weeks alone
  • United Nations estimates that up to 250,000 people may have fled into Tanzania
  • 50,000 more Rwandans waiting to cross the border into Tanzania
  • Estimated 500,000 refugees expected
  • 450 soldiers currently stationed in Kigali to maintain order
  • 270 soldiers remaining in Rwanda since the peacekeeping force was reduced
  • 5,000 people reported killed and wounded when Rwandan police and militia opened fire on civilians in a southern town

Sources:

  • United Nations Press Release (no date mentioned)
  • United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (Geneva)
  • Reuters (no date mentioned)
  • International Committee of the Red Cross (Geneva)
  • State Department (Washington)