On 5 October 1993, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 872, which led to the creation of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR). The mission’s primary objective was to assist in the implementation of the Arusha Peace Agreement, which had been signed earlier that year, aimed at bringing an end to the Rwandan Civil War and establishing a power-sharing government between the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) and the government of Rwanda led by JuvĂ©nal Habyarimana.
Special Day Description:
The United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) was established on 5 October 1993 through UN Security Council Resolution 872. The mission was designed to support the Arusha Peace Agreement, which had been signed in August 1993 between the Rwandan government and the RPF.
UNAMIR’s mandate was focused on monitoring the ceasefire, assisting in the disarmament of militias, and helping implement the political and military provisions of the agreement. A key component of UNAMIR’s mission was to support the formation of a transitional government, which would include both the Rwandan government and RPF representatives.
The UN also decided to integrate the previously established United Nations Observer Mission Uganda-Rwanda (UNOMUR) into the new UNAMIR mission to provide further support for peacekeeping efforts in Rwanda. This integration aimed to provide a more cohesive and organized framework to oversee the implementation of the peace accord.
The UN Security Council appointed General RomĂ©o Dallaire of Canada as Force Commander of the newly established mission. General Dallaire was tasked with overseeing the deployment of 2,548 peacekeeping troops from various countries, ensuring the mission’s activities were carried out effectively under his leadership. However, despite his efforts to maintain peace and stability in the country, Dallaire and the UNAMIR forces faced significant challenges due to a lack of resources and support from the international community.
Key Takeaways:
- UNAMIR was established to oversee the implementation of the Arusha Peace Agreement, a political agreement aimed at ending the Rwandan Civil War.
- UN Security Council Resolution 872 created the mission and integrated UNOMUR into UNAMIR.
- General Roméo Dallaire was appointed as Force Commander of UNAMIR to lead peacekeeping efforts in Rwanda.
- UNAMIR‘s primary tasks included monitoring the ceasefire, assisting with disarmament, and helping implement the transitional government.
- Despite efforts to stabilize the situation, UNAMIR’s mission was hampered by insufficient resources and lack of international support as tensions continued to rise in Rwanda.
This day marks the international community’s involvement in Rwanda during a critical time, although the mission’s ability to prevent the 1994 Genocide Against Tutsi was severely limited due to the challenges it faced.