The Security Council’s Ineffectiveness and Misaligned Priorities in Addressing Rwanda’ Situation

Reporters: Alvin Chang

The topic switched from quelling the violence to the “educational institutions?!”

　　After the committee finished the discussion on the humanitarian corridors, the USA raised an unmoderated caucus (UNMOD) for the purpose of clarifying the direction of the meeting. The Member States decided to focus on “quelling the violence in Northern Rwanda.” When they finally took on solving the most urgent problem, they ridiculously switched the topic to “whether to establish educational institutions in refugee camps.” Although this method might be useful in the long term, it is not viable to solve the urgent issue. Wish the member states of the Security Council (SC) would be smarter and more effective.

Violence sprang up in Rwanda! Will the Security Council succeed in solving the crisis this time?

　　Since several political figures were killed, the Hutu extremists in Rwanda initiated a series of actions to kill the Tutsi. Facing the doubt of the Russian Federation about whether the Government of Hutu is the party of those Hutu people inciting the violence. To everyone’s surprise, generous Rwanda announced that they would unarmed their army in order to maintain peace. 

The Draft Directive was adopted but without thorough consideration!

When the situation in Rwanda has deteriorated, the SC passed the Draft Directive 2.1 (DD 2.1). This is the first time, since session 1, that the SC succeeded in reaching a consensus on the taken methods. Despite the adoption of DD 2.1, the content was being questioned of not being viable and even contradictory. One clause in DD 2.1 authorized the UNAMIR to seize weapons from the Government of Rwanda and the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF). In the meantime, there was another clause emphasizing that the operation should avoid any direct interference in Rwanda’s military affairs. 

　　When the delegate of the USA responded to this contradiction, he gave a disappointing answer: he wasn’t aware of the existence of the clause. That’s ridiculous! The committee passed a DD without thorough consideration! This showed the malfunction of the SC and the slavish attitude of the Member States.