Abstract
- Rwanda more than ever torn apart by civil war. Part of the government fled before the advance of the rebel troops of the Patriotic Front. And the latest fighting around the capital Kigali has caused the exodus of hundreds of thousands of destitute Rwandans.
- General insecurity has forced the few blue helmets on the spot to suspend the evacuation of civilians who are currently blocked behind the combat lines.
- The rebel leaders made it known a few days ago that they agreed to send new blue helmets to Rwanda. But the leaders of the RPF formally oppose any participation of French soldiers.
- Kigali, three days after the death of the Presidents of Rwanda and Burundi: 191 French paratroopers land with the sole purpose of evacuating foreign nationals.
- But this is not the first time that the French army has set foot on Rwandan soil. In October 90, 150 soldiers had already come to evacuate foreigners during the Patriotic Front offensive. But these men remained in Rwanda at the request of President Habyarimana. They will even be 700 and will not leave until 93.
- The Rwandan President and France have always denied the participation of French soldiers in the fighting against the Patriotic Front. They were there, says General Habyarimana, only to protect their nationals.
- Today, however, Paris is accused of having supported the regime of President Habyarimana. Those who point the finger at France recall that the Rwandan soldiers were trained until last April by more than 70 French military instructors. Our country has been caught in the trap of past agreements.
- Philippe Bohn, "Expert Africa": "We did not realize the nature of this regime. And that the logical and normal cooperation agreements that we had with this country found themselves in a context that did not was not the one that France would have liked".
- Similarly, France had offered the Rwandan President the Falcon 50 where he died on April 6 with his three crew members, also French, at Kigali airport.
- Paris also paid for the trip of the presidential family who found refuge in France after having evacuated Rwanda under French protection.
- This is why the opposition to the Rwandan regime is entering Kigali today. The Patriotic Front does not want French blue helmets. Supported by Uganda and the Anglophone camp in Africa, these men are now taking their revenge. France will no doubt be kept out of a political settlement.