UN Peacekeepers Ordered Not to Intervene in Rwandan Genocide

Strategic Insights -

Kofi Annan, now the Secretary General of the United Nations, was aware of the Rwandan government's plans to exterminate minority Tutsis in 1994, but his office ordered UN peacekeepers to stand down, according to a fax obtained by The New Yorker. This shocking revelation has sparked outrage and calls for accountability, as the world body has admitted to mistakes made during the genocide, which left over 500,000 dead. Annan, currently on a tour of Africa, is expected to apologize in Rwanda for the slow international response.

Key Takeaways:

  • Kofi Annan, as head of UN peacekeeping operations in January 1994, received a fax from Gen. Romeo Dallaire warning of the Rwandan government's plans to slaughter Tutsis.
  • Annan's office ordered Dallaire not to protect the informant or confiscate arms, allegedly to avoid escalating the situation.
  • Annan was aware of the order and subsequently blocked probes to determine who saw the fax.
  • A senior Rwandan security official quoted in the fax mentioned that Tutsis were to be registered for the purpose of their extermination.
  • The Rwandan genocide resulted in the deaths of at least 500,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus between April 6 and July 15, 1994.
  • French, Belgian, and U.S. officials have denied any prior warning of the government-orchestrated massacre.
  • Annan's aide, Iqbal Riza, confirmed that Annan was aware of the order not to intervene.

Statistics:

  • At least 500,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed in the Rwandan genocide between April 6 and July 15, 1994.
  • The fax sent by Dallaire was received by Annan's office on January 15, 1994 (though not explicitly stated).
  • The UN headquarters received the fax on January 11, 1994, when Annan was head of peacekeeping operations.
  • 36 hours were given by Gen. Dallaire to raid a weapons stockpile to prevent the massacre.
  • The genocide lasted over three months, from April 6 to July 15, 1994.

Sources:

  • The New Yorker magazine
  • The Associated Press
  • Iqbal Riza, aid to Kofi Annan
  • A UN fax obtained by The New Yorker
  • Official UN reports on the Rwandan genocide