Deployment of Belgian UNAMIR Soldiers and Killings in Northern Rwanda

On 1 November 1993, the first contingent of Belgian soldiers deployed under the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) arrived in Kigali, as part of the UN’s efforts to implement the Arusha Peace Agreement. However, the day was also marked by violence, as reports surfaced of killings in northern Rwanda, highlighting the fragile state of the peace process.

Key Developments:

1. Arrival of Belgian Troops for UNAMIR:
   • The deployment of Belgian peacekeepers was a significant milestone for UNAMIR, which had been established under UN Security Council Resolution 872 on 5 October 1993. The mission aimed to oversee the implementation of the Arusha Peace Agreement and maintain stability in Rwanda during the transitional government period.
   • Belgium, the former colonial power in Rwanda, was a major contributor to UNAMIR. Belgian troops were tasked with providing security, monitoring ceasefires, and supporting the demobilization of armed groups.
2. Challenges Faced by Belgian Troops:
   • The peacekeepers arrived in a highly volatile environment, as tensions remained high between the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) and the Rwandan Armed Forces (FAR) despite the peace agreement.
   • Many Rwandans were skeptical of the UN’s ability to enforce the terms of the Arusha Accords, and the Belgian troops were often viewed with suspicion by both sides.
3. Killings in Northern Rwanda:
   • On the same day, reports emerged of killings in northern Rwanda, where ethnic tensions between Hutus and Tutsis had been escalating. This violence highlighted the challenges UNAMIR faced in trying to stabilize the country.
   • The killings were part of a broader pattern of targeted violence against civilians, particularly in areas perceived to be sympathetic to the RPF. The northern regions of Rwanda had seen significant military activity during the civil war, and these areas remained hotspots for violence even after the signing of the peace agreement.
4. Implications for UNAMIR:
   • The killings underscored the difficulty of enforcing peace in a deeply divided society. For UNAMIR, it was an early indication of the magnitude of the challenges they would face in fulfilling their mandate.
   • The violence also served as a reminder of the fragility of the Arusha Accords, as many factions within Rwanda were actively working to undermine the peace process.
5. Legacy:
   • The arrival of Belgian peacekeepers marked the beginning of UNAMIR’s operations, which would ultimately struggle to prevent the escalation of violence in Rwanda.
   • The killings in the north were part of a series of events that foreshadowed the eventual 1994 genocide, as the underlying ethnic and political tensions in Rwanda continued to fester despite international efforts to broker peace.

Conclusion:

The events of 1 November 1993 highlighted both the promise and the challenges of the UNAMIR mission. While the arrival of Belgian peacekeepers represented a significant step in the international community’s efforts to stabilize Rwanda, the killings in the north underscored the deep divisions and persistent violence that would eventually culminate in the 1994 genocide. This day served as a stark reminder of the complexities of peacekeeping in a context of entrenched ethnic and political conflict.