On 26 August 1992, the military assistance agreement between France and Rwanda, originally signed in 1975, was amended to extend support to all branches of the Rwandan Armed Forces. This amendment came at a critical time, during the Rwandan Civil War and just two years before the 1994 Genocide.
Context:
- 1975 Agreement: The original agreement, signed in 1975, had provided military aid and training to Rwanda from France, supporting the Rwandan Armed Forces (FAR) under the leadership of President Juvénal Habyarimana.
- 1980s-1990s Military Support: Throughout the 1980s and into the early 1990s, France maintained strong military ties with the Rwandan government, providing arms, training, and other forms of military assistance. This period saw an increasing reliance on French military support as Rwanda faced growing insurgencies from the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) and other rebel forces.
The 1992 Amendment:
The amendment of the military assistance agreement in 1992 occurred amidst heightened tensions in Rwanda:
- The RPF had launched an offensive in 1990, leading to the start of the Rwandan Civil War, and the Habyarimana government was struggling to maintain control of the country.
- France, which had strong political and historical ties with Rwanda, expanded its support to include all military services of the Rwandan Armed Forces, reinforcing Habyarimana’s regime during this turbulent period. This move came just a year before the Arusha Accords in 1993, which were meant to end the civil war and bring peace to the country.
Significance:
- Support for the Habyarimana Government: This amendment represented an escalation of French involvement in Rwanda’s internal conflicts, strengthening the government’s military position. It was seen by critics as a sign of France’s unwavering support for the Hutu-dominated government against the Tutsi-led RPF.
- Preparation for Genocide: Although the French government maintained that their military assistance was intended to maintain stability, the Rwandan government used this military support in the lead-up to the 1994 Genocide. Members of the Hutu extremist factions in the government, including the Interahamwe militia, would later use French-supplied weapons in the systematic extermination of Tutsis.
Aftermath:
- Operation Turquoise: In June 1994, after the genocide had already begun, France launched Operation Turquoise, a military intervention in Rwanda. French forces deployed under this operation in southern Rwanda were accused by many of indirectly supporting the genocidal government and failing to stop the massacre.
- Controversy and Criticism: The French role in Rwanda remains a controversial topic. Many view the 1992 military assistance amendment as part of a broader French policy that enabled the genocide, while others argue that France’s involvement was an attempt to stabilize Rwanda in a period of increasing violence and instability.
Legacy:
The 1992 amendment highlights the complexities of international relations and military support during periods of conflict. France’s involvement in Rwanda continues to be debated in terms of its ethical implications and the role foreign nations should play in conflict zones. The relationship between France and Rwanda has been strained for decades, with tensions rising as Rwanda sought to distance itself from its former colonial ally after the genocide.