FPR Representatives, Including 600 Troops, Arrive in Kigali

On 28 December 1993, representatives from the Rwandan Patriotic Front (FPR), along with approximately 600 troops, arrived in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. They were housed at the Centre National de Développement (CND), a key location in the city. This event marked a significant development in the peace process and was a direct outcome of the Arusha Accords signed earlier that year.

Key Points:

1. Arusha Peace Accords (August 1993):
   • The Arusha Peace Accords, signed on 4 August 1993, were intended to end the ongoing Rwandan Civil War (1990-1993) between the Rwandan Patriotic Front (FPR) and the Rwandan government led by President Juvénal Habyarimana.
   • The agreement called for a power-sharing arrangement between the FPR and the ruling government, which included provisions for the integration of FPR troops into the Rwandan army, the establishment of a transitional government, and the creation of a new constitution.
2. Arrival of FPR Representatives:
   • On 28 December 1993, the FPR delegation, including around 600 troops, arrived in Kigali as part of their commitment to the peace accords. The arrival was a critical step in the implementation of the Arusha Accords.
   • The FPR troops were intended to be integrated into the Rwandan national army, marking a major shift in the country’s military landscape. The troops were housed at the CND, which would serve as a central location for FPR and government representatives during the implementation phase.
3. Significance of the CND:
   • The CND (Centre National de Développement) was an important venue in Kigali during the peace process. It became a symbol of the power-sharing arrangement between the FPR and the government, representing a potential opportunity for the peaceful coexistence of both sides.
   • The location was also a military base and became one of the focal points for the discussions and preparations related to the integration of the FPR into the national institutions.
4. Context of Rising Tensions:
   • Despite the signing of the Arusha Accords, there were increasing tensions and a lack of trust between the FPR and the Hutu-dominated government. The arrival of the FPR troops was met with skepticism by some segments of the population and political leadership.
   • The Hutu extremist factions, including groups like the Interahamwe militia, opposed the peace agreement and saw the arrival of the FPR as a threat to their dominance. These factions worked to undermine the peace process, contributing to a climate of violence and instability.
5. Role in the Build-up to Genocide:
   • While the arrival of the FPR troops was initially seen as a step toward peace, the situation quickly deteriorated. By April 1994, just a few months after the arrival of the FPR in Kigali, President Habyarimana’s plane was shot down, triggering the genocide.
   • The assassination of Habyarimana sparked the mass killings of Tutsis and moderate Hutus, as well as the formation of extremist militias. The power-sharing arrangements under the Arusha Accords quickly collapsed as the country descended into ethnic violence.

Summary:

On 28 December 1993, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (FPR), as part of the Arusha Peace Accords, sent 600 troops to Kigali, where they were housed at the CND. This marked a key step in the integration of FPR forces into the Rwandan national army as part of a peace-building effort. However, despite these efforts, tensions remained high, and the country soon spiraled into the genocide of 1994 against Tutsi.