Rwandan Exodus: Over 100,000 Flee as Civil War Escalates

Strategic Insights -

In the midst of escalating civil war, a mass exodus of over 100,000 refugees streamed south of the Rwandan capital, Kigali, as the fragile peace between the Hutu and Tutsi-led rebels shattered. The exodus, which included almost half of Kigali's 250,000 residents, was sparked by the mysterious death of President Juvenal Habyarimana, a Hutu, and the resulting fury of killing and looting by rogue elements of Rwanda's army and armed gangs. An estimated 20,000 people have been killed in a week of warfare, with fears of a larger conflict between the Hutus and Tutsis prompting the panic.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 100,000 refugees fled the Rwandan capital, Kigali, in a slow river of human misery that stretched for over eight kilometres.
  • The exodus included almost half of Kigali's 250,000 residents, who were caught in the grip of a murderous terror since President Habyarimana's death.
  • An estimated 20,000 people have been killed in a week of warfare, with fears of a larger conflict between the Hutus and Tutsis.
  • The Rwandan army, which is Hutu-dominated, and armed gangs have attacked clerics, aid workers, and even slaughtered hospital patients in their beds.
  • Scores of people clung to a large earth-mover heading south, including a score who were crammed into the giant vehicle's metal scoop.
  • The Canadian government advised Canadians living in neighbouring Burundi to get out before violence spills over from Rwanda.
  • French and Belgian forces have evacuated their nationals from Rwanda, with France saying a third of its 500 troops will remain to assist in removing any remaining foreigners.

Statistics:

  • Over 100,000 refugees fled Kigali in a slow river of human misery (AP, Reuter, and CP KIGALI)
  • Almost half of Kigali's 250,000 residents fled the city (AP, Reuter, and CP KIGALI)
  • Estimated 20,000 people killed in a week of warfare (AP, Reuter, and CP KIGALI)
  • 50 or more people clung to a large earth-mover heading south (AP, Reuter, and CP KIGALI)
  • 30 Canadians remain in Rwanda, with arrangements made for a military plane to get them out (The Canadian Press, Ottawa)

Sources:

  • AP, Reuter, and CP KIGALI (correspondents in Rwanda)
  • The Canadian Press, Nouvelles Tele-Radio (telephone interview with Gen. Romeo Dallaire)
  • British Broadcasting Corp. (monitoring Radio Muhabura)
  • French television (Prime Minister Jean-Luc Dehaene's statement)
  • Canadian government sources (Eduardo del Buey, Foreign Affairs Department spokesman)