Internal and cross-border conflict broke out in Rwanda in October 1990, with sporadic fighting between the armed forces of the Hutu-led Rwandan government and the Tutsi-led Rwandese Patriotic Front (RPF). The RPF operated from military bases in Uganda and areas in northern Rwanda. Negotiations were conducted between the two parties in Arusha, Tanzania, which were supported by the Organization of African Unity (OAU). Despite a number of cease-fire agreements, hostilities resumed in February 1993.
As a result, Rwanda and Uganda called on the Security Council to station United Nations military observers along their common border to prevent the military use of the border area, in particular the transport of military supplies. After consulting with the Security Council, Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali sent a goodwill mission to Rwanda and Uganda in March 1993. A technical mission in April confirmed that observers could monitor the border and verify that no military equipment crossed it. It was decided to deploy observers only on the Uganda side of the border. On June 22, 1993, the Security Council established the United Nations Observer Mission Uganda-Rwanda (UNOMUR) pursuant to resolution 846. UNOMUR was fully operational by the end of September. The mission was deployed on the Uganda-Rwanda border to discourage cross-border incursions.
Throughout July 1993, the Rwandan government and the RPF conducted negotiations. These negotiations were successfully concluded on August 4th. The Arusha Peace Agreement provided for a broad-based transitional government, to be in effect until elections leading to a democratically elected government. After signing the agreement, the situation eased somewhat. An estimated 600,000 displaced persons returned to their homes. The remaining displaced persons continued to rely on emergency assistance provided in some 30 camps.
The Rwandan government and the RPF requested that the United Nations establish another international force to assist in implementing the Peace Agreement. On October 5, 1993, the Security Council established the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) pursuant to resolution 872. The mandate for UNAMIR was to monitor implementation of the agreement and to assist in the establishment and maintenance of a transitional government. It was to stay in Rwanda until elections and the installation of a new government, scheduled for October 1995.
Delay in implementing the agreement slowed the deployment and operation of UNAMIR. Diplomatic efforts sought to expedite the establishment of a transitional government, but the delay had already contributed to a deterioration in the security situation. In January 1994, the Security Council urged the parties to cooperate to assure prompt installation of the transitional institutions. Negotiations on the composition of transitional bodies continued because numerous issues remained unresolved.
On April 6, 1994, President Habyarimana of Rwanda and President Ntaryamira of Burundi were killed in a plane crash while returning from peace talks in Tanzania. The incident set off a torrent of violence and killings which had political as well as ethnic dimensions. The prime minister, cabinet ministers, government officials and scores of civilians-as well as several UNAMIR peacekeepers-were the first victims of the carnage. When the RPF counterattacked, governmental authority collapsed.
An interim government was proclaimed on April 8th. However, it failed to establish its authority and stop the massacres which had assumed genocidal proportions. When the fighting intensified in and around the capital city of Kigali, the interim government fled into exile in Zaire. With the RPF's southward push from its northern bases, the number of displaced persons and refugees increased tremendously. On April 28th alone, 280,000 people fled to Tanzania to escape the violence. The mass exodus into Zaire added another devastating dimension to the conflict. United Nations agencies and humanitarian relief organizations provided emergency assistance on an unprecedented scale. UNAMIR concentrated on efforts to arrange a cease-fire but without success. Increasingly, UNAMIR personnel came under attack. The Security Council changed UNAMIR's mandate to include working with the parties towards a cease-fire agreement and assisting in the resumption of relief operations.
On May 17th, the Security Council determined that the situation in Rwanda constituted a threat to international peace and security and imposed an arms embargo against Rwanda. The Council authorized UNAMIR's expansion and recognized the potential need for the mission to take action in self-defense against persons or groups who threatened protected sites and populations. On June 22nd, the Security Council authorized a temporary multinational humanitarian operation to contribute to the security and protection of displaced persons, refugees and civilians. The French-led multinational forces carried out "Operation Turquoise," which established a safe humanitarian protection zone in the southwest of Rwanda. On August 21st, the operation was terminated according to plan when UNAMIR took over its responsibilities in the zone.
On July 18th, RPF forces took control of Rwanda and unilaterally declared a cease-fire, effectively ending the civil war. The next day, a broad-based government of national unity was installed for a transitional period of five years. The new government declared its commitment to the principles of the Arusha Peace Agreement and to national reconciliation and reconstruction and assured UNAMIR of its cooperation in efforts to encourage the return of refugees.
Throughout the civil war, UNOMUR expanded its monitoring activities in Uganda from the areas controlled by the RPF to the entire border area between the two countries. It also played an instrumental part in building up and supporting UNAMIR operations in Rwanda. However, the Security Council decided to gradually reduce UNOMUR operations. UNOMUR was closed down on September 21, 1994. For its part, UNAMIR continued its efforts to ensure security and stability, encourage the return of refugees and displaced persons, provide security and support for humanitarian assistance and promote reconciliation. In March 1996, the mandate for UNAMIR was ended and the last troops departed in April of that year.
