| UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA - AFRICAN STUDIES CENTER |
RWANDA
CIVIL DISTURBANCE
DHA-GENEVA DAILY INFORMATION REPORT NO. 46
4 October 1994
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Information for this report is provided by the
UN Rwanda Emergency Office in Kigali
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DHA-GENEVA 94/0338
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This sitrep is produced three times every week. The information is compiled from inputs by organizations working in Rwanda including UNICEF, UNDP, WFP, UNHCR, WHO, IOM, UNAMIR, USAID-DART, US-JTF and NGOs.
GENERAL SUMMARY
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Riots have occurred in refugee camps in Goma and Ngara in recent days.
Two incidents of armed robberies reported in Kigali during the last few days.
RPA step up car searching at road blocks on main roads all over the country. UN Agency/NGO vehicles now subject to searches.
SECURITY
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At least 80 expatriate staff had to be evacuated from Katale Camp in Goma and taken to Uganda on 29 September, following continued threats on their lives. ICRC in Goma was informed of a 'hit list' containing names of expatriate workers that could be targeted. Katale camp is hosting some 200,000 refugees, many of whom are former Government forces and are still armed.
During a 30 September press briefing, a UNHCR spokesperson announced that talks were being held between UNHCR and the Government of Zaire to determine ways of improving security in the camps and possibilities for disarming refugees in Katale camp. UNHCR also said that repatriation movements out of Goma have been hindered by the presence of the RGF who threaten anybody who talks about repatriation.
UNICEF reported mob violence in Ngara camps following the arrest of a former Rwandese government official by Tanzanian police on 29 September. The ex-government official was apparently driving a Rwandese government car and the police arrested him in Benaco camp to retrieve the car. However, between 20,000 and 30,000 started rioting in protest. The official was released and the crowd was eventually dispersed by police firing bullets into the air and using tear gas. The situation as of 3 October is described as tense.
Explosions and machine gun fire was heard in Kibungo at 14:30 on 2 October. The incident occurred between the hospital and the IMC compound in the town. The cause of the conflict is not yet known.
A woman was badly injured in a landmine explosion in central Kigali on Monday 3 October. The path on which she was walking is regularly used and it is likely that heavy rain over the weekend washed the mine onto the path. All personnel are warned to be aware that areas previously safe can contain mines following heavy rain or landslides.
At the UNREO general meeting on 30 September, a Government representative explained that UN Agency/NGO cars were being searched like all other cars in the country for possible arms/ammunition. He urged Agencies/NGOs to cooperate with the RPA if stopped for a search. The representative agreed to a suggestion that a letter outlining official search procedure be written in Kinyarwanda, French and English. The letter would be carried in expatriate vehicles and given to the RPA at road blocs in case searches vary from the agreed limits of vehicles and large baggage.
Two armed robberies were reported in Kigali in the last few days. There is concern that such incidents could increase as people return to the capital with no prospect of work and money.
REFUGEE/DISPLACED PERSONS
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Operation Homeward restarted on 3 October with convoys carrying voluntary returnees from camps in the Gikongoro area to the home areas around Gitarama and Butare. On 3 October, 477 persons registered with UNHCR for transport.
The regular convoys from Cyangugu to Kigali via Butare continue on Monday 3 October with 10 trucks and 1,316 people opting for transportation back home. This is the largest single convoy during recent operations. It is hoped that this large number indicates a restoration of confidence amongst IDPs. UNHCR registers the returnees, UNHCR and IOM organize boarding onto WFP trucks for transport to the Kizi checkpoint. The returnees are then screened by RPA while the WFP trucks continue on their way to Uganda as part of the regular Uganda-Bukavu supply trip. The returnees are then transported with IOM buses and trucks to the reception centre in Butare before onward transport to their homes the next day.
IOM reports that its Gisenyi office has instituted a daily bus run along the Lake Kivu Beach to pick up refugees who have arrived by boat. They are delivered to a CARE centre to await the scheduled onward transportation.
IOM reports that a new waystation has been established by Concern at Ruhengeri. IOM financed the construction of a feeding shed.
COORDINATION
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The UNAMIR Force Commander met with UN Agencies and NGOs at the UNREO General Meeting on 30 September to encourage a spirit of team work and information sharing among all humanitarian organisations working in Rwanda.
GOVERNMENT
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The 45th session of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme (EXCOM) is taking place in Geneva from 3-7 October 1994. The Government of Rwanda is represented by the Minister of Social Affairs, Mr. Pie Muyabo, the Chief of Cabinet in the Ministry of Rehabilitation and Social Integration, Miss Christina Umutoni and Dr. Ephrem Kabayija from the same ministry.
1 October was observed as a national holiday throughout Rwanda to mark the 4th anniversary of the RPA entry into Rwanda. RPA troops paraded through the streets in Kigali, Ruhengeri, Gisenyi and Byumba.
The Ministry of Rehabilitation on Friday, 30 September, sent out a letter to all NGOs in the country asking them to complete an attached form that will provide details regarding every NGO's area of activity, both sectorally and geographically, number of beneficiaries in assistance programmes, projected time-frame of activities, source of funding, number of staff (local and expatriate) and nature of assistance required from the Government. All forms were to have been completed and returned to the Ministry by Monday, 3 October.
HEALTH
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MSF has reported an epidemic of meningitis in the Kaduha camp in the Gikongoro area. A vaccination campaign will begin Monday, 3 October for the total camp population of approximately 35,000 IDPs as well as the local population of approximately 10,000 people.
UNICEF/MSF also report that dysentery continues to be the main cause of morbidity in many areas. With the arrival of the rainy season, it is likely that such diseases will spread as public health conditions deteriorate.
ANIMAL HEALTH
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In response to requests from Rwanda and Uganda, FAO Animal Health (AGAH) and Office for Special Relief Operations (OSRO) has fielded a mission consisting of two veterinarians to evaluate a potential animal disease emergency in Rwanda and neighbouring transboundary areas of Uganda, Tanzania and Zaire. Emergency response is anticipated under the new EMPRES (Emergency Prevention System for Animal and Plant Diseases and Pests) programme and OSRO. The mission would be grateful for any assistance in identifying livestock and wildlife disease problems and the interest/capability in implementing disease control activities.
EDUCATION
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Primary schools throughout the country continue to open despite acute shortage of teachers and books. All schools in sector 1 were reported to be open as of 30 September.
UNICEF/UNESCO are working with the Ministry of Education to implement a phased approach to rehabilitation of the education system. The first phase focuses on sustaining basic literacy; 380 teachers have been trained in 7 prefectures and 9,000 Teacher Emergency Packages (TEPs) are being produced for mass distribution by the end of October.
OTHER INFORMATION
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UNAMIR will continue to allow civilians to use their flights up until 15 October. ECHO flights are now 4 times a week between Kigali and Nairobi.