Arrival of RPF Members and RPA 3rd Battalion in Kigali

On 28 December 1993, members of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), along with the RPA 3rd Battalion (popularly known as the battalion of 600 troops), arrived in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. Their arrival was a key step in the implementation of the Arusha Peace Agreement, signed in August 1993 between the RPF and the Rwandan government.

Key Points:

1. The Arusha Peace Agreement:
   • The Arusha Peace Agreement aimed to end the Rwandan Civil War and establish a Broad-Based Transitional Government (BBTG). This government would include both the Hutu-led government and the RPF, which was primarily composed of Tutsi exiles. The agreement called for a power-sharing arrangement and a new political structure.
   • The peace process also required the integration of RPF troops into the Rwandan Army, along with other measures to promote national reconciliation.
2. Arrival of RPF Members:
   • On 28 December 1993, the RPF members arrived in Kigali as part of the transition to the Broad-Based Transitional Government. Their presence in Kigali marked the beginning of the process of political integration and power-sharing, as outlined in the Arusha Accords.
   • These members were tasked with preparing for their integration into the new government structure, which was meant to be inclusive of both the RPF and the Hutu government factions.
3. RPA 3rd Battalion (600 Troops):
   • To ensure the safety of the RPF members during their stay in Kigali, the RPA 3rd Battalion was deployed. This battalion, made up of about 600 soldiers, was tasked with providing security for the RPF delegation.
   • The RPA 3rd Battalion was known for its readiness and professionalism. It played a key role in the protection of the RPF representatives in the capital as tensions were high and the situation was volatile. Their presence was seen as essential in maintaining security during this critical period of the peace process.
4. The Context of Rising Tensions:
   • The arrival of the RPF in Kigali and the deployment of the RPA 3rd Battalion came amid growing instability. While the Arusha Accords had been signed earlier that year, there was significant opposition from extremist Hutu factions, including the Interahamwe militia, who rejected the peace process.
   • The arrival of the RPF and their soldiers was perceived as a threat by these extremist groups, who were unwilling to share power with the Tutsi-led RPF. The tensions between the Hutu extremists and the moderate factions led to growing fear of violence.
5. The Path to Genocide:
   • Despite the presence of the RPF in Kigali, the peace process quickly unraveled. On 6 April 1994, the assassination of President Juvénal Habyarimana, whose plane was shot down, triggered the Rwandan Genocide.
   • The RPF members and RPA troops found themselves in the midst of the violence as Hutu extremists began systematically killing Tutsis and moderate Hutus. The Arusha Peace Agreement collapsed almost immediately, and the country plunged into a horrific wave of violence.

Summary:

On 28 December 1993, RPF representatives and the RPA 3rd Battalion (the battalion of 600 soldiers) arrived in Kigali to begin implementing the Arusha Peace Agreement. The goal was to establish a Broad-Based Transitional Government and ensure the peaceful integration of the RPF into the country’s political framework. The 600 troops were deployed to provide security for the RPF members in a volatile environment. However, tensions remained high, and the country would soon descend into genocide following the assassination of President Habyarimana in April 1994.