UN Peacekeeping Force – 1995

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UN Peacekeeping Force – 1995

1995

Full Implementation Full implementation

The UNAMIR Continued to monitor the security situation. As of January 1995, UNAMIR’s strength was 5,740 all rank forces who were providing security in the IDP camps and the border region. The mission helped in establishing suitable conditions and a favorable climate for the lunching of Operation Retour, which was an integrated inter-agency initiative aimed at facilitating the safe resettlement of IDPs. The UNHCR and the UN Volunteers continued to monitor the human rights situation.1 By the end of November, the force level stood at 1,783 troops and 37 staff officers and 285 military observers.2 The UNAMIR also provided security to the International Tribunal and the Human Rights Field Operations. By the end of November 1995, the UN Human Rights Field Operation in Rwanda had some 120 members deployed in Kigali and in 10 field offices located throughout the country.3

The UNMIR troops had been deliberately targeted as the UNAMIR headquarters was hit by grenades and small arms fire on 15 February. While investigating the attack the following day, eight members of a UNAMIR patrol were injured by a landmine. Similarly on March 5, three grenades were thrown at the guard post which injured to soldiers.4 The Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) continued to deny UNAMIR access to part of the country, searched and seized UNAMIR vehicles and equipment and participated in anti-UNAMIR demonstrations. The UNAMIR and RPA used to hold meetings on a fortnightly basis which did not take place for months.5

UNAMIR’s civilian police component continued to assist in training a new integrated national police force. As of April report by the UN Sectary General, UNAMIR civilian police component was expecting to complete the training of 300 gendarmes and 20 instructors. It was requested to train additional 400 gendarmes before the training of 100 instructors. The police component also assisted the National Gendarmerie in operational requirements to ensure that the gendarmes were ready and properly equipped for deployment after their training.6 The civilian police component, as part of the UNAMIR’s monitoring and investigatory activities, were deployed in a team of 3-4 observers in each of Rwanda’s 11 prefectures. The observers worked closely with local authorities, UN agencies and NGOs and assisted human rights and the UNAMIR personnel.7 By the end of the year, there were 85 civilian police observers deployed, who continued to perform monitoring activities. By the end of November, the civilian police component trained some 403 gendarmes and training of additional 515 was scheduled to be completed by December. It was said that the civilian police would train 918 out of 6,000 trained gendarmes needed.8

The Secretary General advised the Security Council on 1 December 1995 that national reconciliation in Rwanda required the creation of conditions for the safe return of refugees and the extension of UNAMIR’s mandate was desirable.9 The Rwandan government, however, officially informed the Secretary General on 8 December 1995 that the UNAMIR as peacekeeping mission did not respond to Rwanda’s priority needs. The government, however, indicated the continued presence of UN for the purpose to assist rehabilitation and reconstruction, including technical expertise, financial assistance and equipment.10 For the smooth withdrawal of the UNAMIR, the Security Council by its resolution 1029 (1995) of 12 December, extended the mandate for a final period until 8 March 1996.11

  1. “Secretary General’s Report to the Security Council,” United Nations (S/1995/107), February 6, 1995.
  2. “Secretary General’s Report to the Security Council,” United Nations (S/1995/1002), December 1 1995.
  3. Ibid.
  4. “Secretary General’s Report to the Security Council,” United Nations (S/1995/297), April 9, 1995.
  5. “Secretary General’s Report to the Security Council,” United Nations (S/1995/457), April 9, 1995.
  6. “Secretary General’s Report to the Security Council,” United Nations (S/1995/297), April 9, 1995.
  7. Ibid.
  8. “Secretary General’s Report to the Security Council,” United Nations (S/1995/1002), December 1, 1995.
  9. “Rwanda-UNAMIR Facts and Figures.”
  10. Ibid.
  11. Ibid.