Meeting with Brig. Gen. Karenzi Karakere, Head of Military Operations, and Maj. Jill Rutaremara, Rwandan Patriotic Army

The security situation in Rwanda was extremely unstable in the aftermath of the 1994 genocide. Almost the entire population was displaced, creating a volatile situation inside the country. Remnants of the murderous Interahamwe and ex-FAR (former Rwandan army) roamed the country looting property and harassing, raping and killing survivors of the genocide. On the western border, the ex-FAR and Interahamwe carried out cross-border attacks on a daily basis from the DRC. The Prefectures of Gisenyi and Ruhengeri were so badly affected by insurgency between 1994-8 that normal economic and social activity ground to a halt.

When the government of national unity took office in July 1994 it immediately set out to establish peace and security in all parts of the country. Peace and security had to underpin the political, economic and social recovery of post-genocide Rwanda.

With the exception of Ruhengeri and Gisenyi, peace and security was restored to all other parts of the country by September 1994. The security situation remained volatile in Ruhengeri and Gisenyi because ex-FAR and Interahamwe militia continued to make cross-border attacks from their refugee settlements in the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire).

When the refugee settlements were dismantled the security situation improved slightly. However, it was only when the Rwandese Patriotic Army (RPA) began operations to seek and destroy Interahamwe and ex-FAR bases in the DRC in 1998 that peace and security were fully restored. The two Prefectures have been totally peaceful now since the last quarter of 1998.

The RPA has politicized, re-trained and absorbed 15,000 men from the ex-FAR. Recruitment into the army is carried out on the basis of merit. Recruits are drawn from all parts of the country and all ethnic groups. The RPA also has active programmes for rehabilitation of casualties and demobilization. Those due for demobilization are given intensive courses in carpentry, tailoring and animal husbandry at a school in Nyagatare, Mutara. They are also given financial packages to enable them start small businesses and lead productive lives in the community.

The Head of Military Operations, Karenzi Karakere, assured us that the RPA maintains a high standard of discipline and ensures that its officers and men are well trained and equipped to face the challenges that lie ahead for Rwanda