UN Peacekeeping Operation Begins in Zaire Refugee Camps Amid Violence and Intimidation

Strategic Insights -

A United Nations peacekeeping operation has commenced in refugee camps in eastern Zaire, where over one million Rwandan refugees have settled, amidst reports of violence and intimidation by former militia members and soldiers. Led by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Sadako Ogata, the operation involves 1,500 Zairian troops, who will be paid, clothed, and equipped with $13 million in funding. This marks the first instance of a nation's troops being used as peacekeepers on their own soil.

Key Takeaways:

  • The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Sadako Ogata, has welcomed the first 150 Zairian troops of 1,500 to keep order in refugee camps around Goma and Bukavu in eastern Zaire.
  • The refugee camps are home to over one million Rwandan refugees who fled the fighting in Rwanda, where hundreds of thousands of ethnic Tutsi and moderate Hutu were massacred by the Hutu militia.
  • The militia members and soldiers have terrorized other refugees, often taking control of donated food and other aid, and have used threats and violence to prevent others from returning home.
  • The Zairian troops have been deployed to maintain law and order, but some aid workers have expressed concerns about their discipline and ability to fulfill their mission.
  • Ms. Ogata has stated that the troops will not separate the perpetrators from the innocent, but will only maintain law and order.
  • The operation is the first instance of a nation's troops being used as peacekeepers on their own soil.

Statistics:

  • Over one million Rwandan refugees have settled in refugee camps in eastern Zaire.
  • The United Nations will spend $13 million to pay, clothe, and equip the Zairian troops.
  • 1,500 Zairian troops will be responsible for maintaining order in the refugee camps.
  • Hundereds of thousands of ethnic Tutsi and moderate Hutu were massacred by the Hutu militia in Rwanda.
  • The refugee camps are located around the towns of Goma and Bukavu in eastern Zaire.

Sources:

  • "Head of the United Nations refugee agency comes to Zaire to mark the beginning of a peacekeeping operation..." - The New York Times (no date)
  • "Rwandan refugees are being terrorized by their Hutu militia..." - Reuters (no date)
  • "The United Nations will spend $13 million to pay, clothe and equip the Zairian troops to keep order in the camps..." - Agence France-Presse (no date)