The Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) stopped the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi by launching a strategic military campaign against the genocidal regime on April 7, 1994. RPF troops advanced from the east, sweeping westward through the centre of the country, routing government forces and actively rescuing tens of thousands of trapped civilians until they gained full control of the country in July 1994. ALSO READ: Inside the RPA's rescue mission to stop the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi The period following the attack of April 6, 1994, was marked by a widespread failure of the international community. Rather than strengthening protection measures, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 912 in April 1994, drastically reducing the size of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) at a time when systematic massacres had already begun. ALSO READ: Habyarimana's role in planning, implementing 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi The RPF expected the international community to participate in the protection of civilians. Since no one showed any intention of acting to stop the systematic massacre of the Tutsi and moderate Hutu after April 6, 1994, the RPF proposed a joint operation involving UNAMIR and the Rwandan army, with each party contributing hundreds of personnel to halt the massacres. The genocidal regime’s army rejected the proposal, and UNAMIR's forces were subsequently reduced. Even before the reduction, however, UNAMIR personnel largely stood by without intervening as widespread violence was perpetrated before their eyes. ALSO READ: We are misreading the FDLR threat: It is dangerous incubator of genocide ideology, not just an armed group Unable to tolerate this stalemate, the RPF launched the movement of its troops to relieve the battalion trapped at the CND, protect RPF politicians and other people at risk, stop the massacres, and destroy the capabilities of the genocidal forces, which included soldiers and allied militias. The RPF advanced along three axes: east, west, and the central route toward Kigali. The troops on the central axis captured Byumba. As they advanced, the RPF forces encountered horrifying scenes of brutally mutilated bodies, people on the brink of death, survivors suffering from severe injuries, and deeply traumatised civilians. ALSO READ: How Kagame masterminded RPA’s decisive campaign against Genocide within hours The advance of the RPA was also slowed by numerous obstacles, including landmines, ambushes, and destroyed bridges. Meanwhile, in the face of the ongoing large-scale massacres, ceasefire talks in Kigali between Col Frank Mugambage, representing the RPF, and Brig Gen Marcel Gatsinzi, representing the government, under the chairmanship of General Roméo Dallaire, the force commander of UNAMIR, reached a deadlock. The RPF representative insisted that the killings must stop before any ceasefire could take effect, while the government representative demanded a cessation of hostilities before ending the massacres of civilians. ALSO READ: Killing many in a short period; how civilians were prepared for the Genocide Although the RPF-RPA was outnumbered by the heavily armed FAR and militia forces, its strategy was designed to minimise casualties by employing a range of manoeuvres that avoided direct confrontation whenever possible. RPF-RPA troops infiltrated enemy lines, encircled opposing forces, and harassed them with artillery and mortar fire. They also cut off supply lines while deliberately leaving open routes for retreat. In this way, FAR forces—many of whom were heavily engaged in massacring Tutsi civilians and looting their property—were attacked from the flanks and the rear. Constantly forced onto the defensive, their morale deteriorated rapidly. As they retreated, the RPF was able to liberate more territory and rescue genocide survivors. The writer is a historian based in Kigali.
