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Peacekeeping forces

Tutsi-Led Rebels Threaten to Attack French Troops in Rwanda

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Canadian Major-General Romeo Dallaire warned that Tutsi-led rebels in Rwanda would target French peacekeeping troops, saying the rebels' response to the planned French deployment was "very emphatic." The rebels do not trust France, accusing Paris of arming and supporting the Hutu-led government they are fighting. France denies this, and is preparing to send troops to Rwanda to stop the killing of civilians, which has resulted in the deaths of at least 200,000 people, mostly members of the Tutsi minority.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Tutsi-led Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) has expressed strong opposition to the planned French deployment, with leaders accusing France of arming and supporting the Hutu-led government.
  • The RPF has stated that they would consider French forces as the enemy and target them accordingly.
  • Canada's Major-General Romeo Dallaire has warned that the RPF's response to the French deployment is "very emphatic" and that they would attack French troops if deployed.
  • France is preparing to send troops to Rwanda without waiting for support from other governments, despite warnings from the UN commander.
  • The 490-member UN force already in Rwanda lacks the troops or weapons to stop the killers, who have slaughtered at least 200,000 people.
  • Senegal is the only country besides France to offer support, with 28 soldiers already serving with the UN forces in Rwanda.
  • Rwanda's prime minister-designate, Faustin Twagiramungu, has denounced plans for military intervention in the country, calling for a broad-based transitional government instead.
  • Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Andre Ouellet is scheduled to meet with Twagiramungu tomorrow to discuss the situation.

Statistics:

  • At least 200,000 people have been killed in the 10-week-old civil war in central Africa.
  • The RPF is a mostly Tutsi-led faction fighting against the Hutu-led government.
  • The UN force already in Rwanda has 490 members.
  • Senegal has 28 soldiers serving with the UN forces in Rwanda.
  • It will take "a matter of days and hours" for France to send troops to Rwanda, according to French President Francois Mitterrand.

Sources:

  • Associated Press
  • Canadian Press
  • Montreal Gazette article, no date
  • United Nations Assistance Mission in Rwanda (UNAMIR) website (no date)
  • Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) statement, no date

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