For centuries, if not millennia, the nature of international relations was largely defined through the continued practice of attempting to achieve a nation’s own interests, no matter the cost directed towards other states. However, after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States emerged as the victor of the Cold War and as the new unchallenged global hegemonic power, with no other state able to match its power and influence. This resulted in some experts believing that this would lead to an evolution of the field of international relations, where the international community would finally put aside their differences and work towards a brighter future for all. But, the reaction of the international community to the Rwandan Genocide
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During the roughly 100 day period lasting from April 7th to mid-July 1994 an estimated 800,000 people were murdered. The genocide commenced the day after the plane carrying the Rwandan and Burundian presidents was shot down, killing all on board. The two leaders were attempting to broker a peace deal to end the Rwandan Civil War, which saw the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), consisting mainly of Tutsi refugees who fled Rwanda during previous periods of ethnic conflict, fighting against the Hutu government. In an attempt to end the bloodshed, Rwandan president Juvénal Habyarimana, who was a Hutu, attempted to reach a settlement that would secure the end of the ethnically based conflict. However, some senior Hutu officials within the government were strongly opposed to this plan, and many within the army began to actively plot against the …show more content…
After all, the UN is based on the premise of international cooperation, and therefore attempts to limit international conflict. However, it relies heavily on the willingness of the international community to to contribute to their efforts. Without the determination of member nations, more specifically Western nations, to resolve crises, the UN is severely hampered in its ability to act effectively. Most notably in Rwanda, the peacekeeping force was limited to “investigating breaches in the ceasefire, helping humanitarian aid deliveries and contributing to the security of the capital, Kigali”. But, when the 10 Belgian peacekeepers were murdered during the genocide there was little will to keep peacekeepers in the region, let alone increase their numbers. After an internal investigation over the UN’s actions, the organization released a statement saying "our conclusion is there is one overriding failure which explains why the UN could not stop or prevent the genocide, and that is a lack of resources and a lack of will - a lack of will to take on the commitment necessary to prevent the
During the roughly 100 day period lasting from April 7th to mid-July 1994 an estimated 800,000 people were murdered. The genocide commenced the day after the plane carrying the Rwandan and Burundian presidents was shot down, killing all on board. The two leaders were attempting to broker a peace deal to end the Rwandan Civil War, which saw the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), consisting mainly of Tutsi refugees who fled Rwanda during previous periods of ethnic conflict, fighting against the Hutu government. In an attempt to end the bloodshed, Rwandan president Juvénal Habyarimana, who was a Hutu, attempted to reach a settlement that would secure the end of the ethnically based conflict. However, some senior Hutu officials within the government were strongly opposed to this plan, and many within the army began to actively plot against the …show more content…
After all, the UN is based on the premise of international cooperation, and therefore attempts to limit international conflict. However, it relies heavily on the willingness of the international community to to contribute to their efforts. Without the determination of member nations, more specifically Western nations, to resolve crises, the UN is severely hampered in its ability to act effectively. Most notably in Rwanda, the peacekeeping force was limited to “investigating breaches in the ceasefire, helping humanitarian aid deliveries and contributing to the security of the capital, Kigali”. But, when the 10 Belgian peacekeepers were murdered during the genocide there was little will to keep peacekeepers in the region, let alone increase their numbers. After an internal investigation over the UN’s actions, the organization released a statement saying "our conclusion is there is one overriding failure which explains why the UN could not stop or prevent the genocide, and that is a lack of resources and a lack of will - a lack of will to take on the commitment necessary to prevent the