On 1 October 1990, the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA), the military wing of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), initiated a major military offensive by attacking the Kagitumba border post in eastern Rwanda. This event marked the formal beginning of the RPF’s liberation struggle, which would become a pivotal moment in Rwanda’s history and set the stage for a conflict that would culminate in the Rwandan Genocide in 1994.
Background to the Attack:
The RPF was composed primarily of Tutsi exiles who had fled Rwanda following waves of ethnic violence, including the 1959 Hutu revolution that overthrew the Tutsi monarchy and led to the massacre of many Tutsis. These exiles had been living in neighboring countries, particularly Uganda, and were often denied the right to return to their homeland.
The RPF was formed in 1987 by Tutsi refugees, including many former Rwandan soldiers, who were primarily based in Uganda. The group was led by Paul Kagame, who would later become the president of Rwanda. The RPF’s central aim was to overthrow the authoritarian Hutu-dominated government of Juvénal Habyarimana and to secure the return of Rwandan Tutsi refugees to their homeland.
By the time the RPA launched its offensive, many Tutsi refugees had been living in Uganda for decades, and their grievances were exacerbated by the Habyarimana government’s policies that marginalized Tutsis within Rwanda. The RPF sought to end the Habyarimana regime’s oppressive rule and secure better treatment and opportunities for Tutsis both inside Rwanda and in the diaspora.
The Kagitumba Border Attack:
The Kagitumba border post was located in the northeastern part of Rwanda, on the border with Uganda. The attack on Kagitumba marked the beginning of the RPA’s military campaign inside Rwanda. It was a strategic move to challenge the government forces of Habyarimana and gain control of key territories, including areas with a high concentration of Tutsi refugees who had been denied their right to return home.
The RPF’s forces, which were well-organized and well-trained, successfully captured the Kagitumba border post and launched further attacks, advancing deeper into Rwandan territory. This attack would serve as a symbol of the RPF’s determination to liberate Rwanda from what it saw as an oppressive regime and to restore the rights of the Tutsi population.
Implications of the Attack:
- Military Engagement: The attack marked the start of the Rwandan Civil War, with the RPA engaging in full-scale military confrontations with the Rwandan Armed Forces (FAR). The initial victories by the RPA showed the strength and discipline of the rebel forces, although the conflict was long and bloody, with heavy casualties on both sides.
- Internal Divisions: The RPF’s invasion exacerbated existing tensions within Rwanda, where ethnic divisions between Hutu and Tutsi communities were already deep-seated. The Hutu-dominated government framed the RPF’s attack as an assault by foreign invaders, fueling anti-Tutsi sentiments within the population. This rhetoric played a significant role in creating the environment that would later culminate in the 1994 Genocide.
- International Attention: The RPF’s offensive caught the attention of the international community, and countries such as Uganda were drawn into the conflict, with the Ugandan government under Yoweri Museveni offering support to the RPF. The war would eventually lead to peace negotiations, culminating in the Arusha Peace Accords of 1993, though these agreements would not be fully implemented and were undermined by escalating violence in the years that followed.
- Strategic Significance: The launch of the RPF’s campaign was not only a military action but also a symbolic statement. It signified the determination of the Tutsi exiles to reclaim their rights and to challenge the long-standing exclusionary policies of the Rwandan government. It also signaled the beginning of a more organized and coordinated effort to address the systemic injustices faced by the Tutsi population in Rwanda.
Long-Term Consequences:
The 1990 RPF attack was the beginning of a conflict that would eventually lead to the genocide of 1994, where hundreds of thousands of Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed by extremist elements within the Hutu government and their militias. The civil war escalated over the next four years, culminating in the genocide, after which the RPF would ultimately take control of the country and bring an end to the Habyarimana regime.
The RPF’s victory in 1994 paved the way for a new government under Paul Kagame, who would later become president and lead efforts toward national reconciliation, economic recovery, and the rebuilding of Rwanda. However, the events of the 1990 invasion and the subsequent genocide would leave deep scars on the country and its people, shaping Rwanda’s future trajectory.
Conclusion:
The 1 October 1990 attack on the Kagitumba border post was the beginning of the RPF’s liberation struggle, which marked the start of a brutal civil war that would have lasting implications for Rwanda. While the immediate objective of the RPF was to challenge the Habyarimana regime and secure the rights of Tutsi refugees, the military campaign set off a series of events that would lead to the horrific 1994 Genocide. This event is now a defining moment in Rwanda’s history, setting the stage for both tragedy and the eventual rebuilding of the country.