Essay On The Rwanda Crisis

weapons. In return, the US threatened the Soviet Union. When the Security Council tried to protest and stop the invasion, Britain and France simply used their veto power. However, when the General Assembly met, they forced the removal of the British and French troops from the area. Lester Pearson of Canada came up with an idea that United Nations emergency force be sent into the Canal. The force would consist of troops from countries who were not involved in the conflict. The force was called the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF). When the peacekeepers were asked to leave later that year, war began. Two months later, the Security Council drew up a ceasefire agreement. The ceasefire prevented a full-scale war and halted the involvement of the superpower countries.

The removal of troops and prevention of war in Egypt was a great success for the United Nations. Lester B. Pearson’s swift action of UNEF forces averted a war between Egypt and Israel. …show more content…
The Rwandan crisis clearly outlined the UN’s ability to act during a crisis and stop it. General Dallaire describes the experience: “[We] watched as the devil took control of paradise on earth and fed on the blood of the people we were supposed to protect.” The United Nations member nations were reluctant to send more troops despite Dallaire’s pleas and it took six months for the UN to actually agree to send more troops. The role of the peacekeepers also prevented proper action from being taken. The forces stationed in Rwanda were very restricted in what they could and could not do. They were lightly armed and could only use their weapons in cases of self-defence. The only real affect they had was providing aid and support to a small number of people. Overall, the UN did very little in recognizing the situation in Rwanda. Ultimately, they failed the people of Rwanda and failed to meet their four main