| UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA - AFRICAN STUDIES CENTER |
RWANDA
CIVIL DISTURBANCE
DHA-GENEVA DAILY INFORMATION REPORT NO. 61
7 November 1994
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Information for this report is provided by the
UN Rwanda Emergency Office in Kigali
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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, FAO, IOM, UNAMIR,
USAID-DART, US-JTF and NGOs.
GENERAL SUMMARY
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A meeting was held in Kigali on 5 November to discuss the
implications of the NGO statement concerning security in refugee
camps in and around Goma (Zaire) and its potential effects on
Rwanda. In this statement, issued on 3 November 1994, 15 NGOs
working in Goma threaten to withdraw from the camps unless
measures are taken to strengthen security.
SECURITY
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In the north-west (Gisenyi Prefecture), the security situation
has remained calm. There was, however, a mine explosion in
Ruhengeri on 4 November, wounding one person. Two other mines
were removed from the same area. It is not clear whether the
mines were freshly-laid. There are increased border patrols in
the area, and RPA soldiers have been encouraging farmers who work
near the border to slip behind the RPA lines at night.
To the south, in the Gikongoro area, an NGO staff was arrested and detained for about 2 hours on the suspicion that the car he was driving was stolen. In another incident, an NGO staff was taken to the police station to write an apology for nearly driving through the string put across the road at a checkpoint outside Butare.
In Gitarama, UNAMIR reports that the RPA arrested three Caritas drivers and two of their friends on 3 November 1994. The truck loaded with 20 MTs of food aid was confiscated and is currently being held by the RPA. The truck had been on a routine food transport mission from Bujumbura to Kigali.
REFUGEES
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Tension in the refugee camps in Zaire remains high and incidents
of violence are common. On 3 November, 15 international relief
agencies working in Goma issued a statement addressed to the
United Nations, the UN Security Council and Governments
threatening to withdraw from the camps if security was not
improved. UNHCR and NGOs responded by proposing the deployment
of a multi-national peace-keeping force.
A meeting was later held in Kigali to discuss the statement and the implications of a possible NGO withdrawal from the camps in Zaire, should the demands fail to be met. The proposal for a peace-keeping force will be discussed in a meeting scheduled for 8 November 1994, chaired by Secretary-General Boutros-Ghali. The Special Representative to the Secretary-General (SRSG) in Rwanda, Mr. Sharharyar Khan and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Mrs. Sadako Ogata will attend the meeting.
In the Gisenyi area, UNHCR and UN Military Observers have confirmed the return of 5,030 people between 1-4 November. Many refugees are leaving the Wahu Island and returning to Rwanda by boat. Approximately 50 per cent of the returnees are "old caseload," i.e., refugees from the 1959-1960 era. Speculations are that returnees are probably coming in by boat in order to avoid checkpoints and to be less visible.
UNAMIR reports the following returnee movements into Rwanda through various border crossings, on 4 and 6 November 1994:
FROM 4 NOVEMBER 6 NOVEMBER
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Burundi 53 389
Tanzania 264 103
Zaire 1,372 877
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TOTAL 1,689 1,369
Total number of returnees through various border crossings as from 1-6 November 1994: 8,480
UNHCR/IOM report that they moved a total of 9,868 people during the period of 31 October-5 November. 6,422 were refugees and 3,446 were IDPs.
INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS
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In the last week, both the Rugabano and Birambo camps in the
Kibuye area were reported to have been razed to the ground,
following a 29 October deadline. The action has forced out an
estimated 3,000 people. In addition, there are reports that over
100 shelters in Muko camp were burned down on 1 November. The
destroyed shelters are reported to have been put up by IDPs who
had recently moved from the Kibuye area. Last week's forcible
closure of camps has resulted in "new arrivals" in the Gikongoro
area. It is becoming evident that rather than reduce the number
of IDPs, the forcible closure of camps has in fact increased the
numbers of people in neighbouring camps.
GOVERNMENT
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The Government is in the process of deploying civilian local
administrators at the Prefecture level to replace the military
prefects. The government initiative has been well received in
several prefectures. In Gikongoro, Cyangugu and Gisenyi, the new
prefects are already in place. The Prefect in Butare was
scheduled to take up his duties today.
The Ministry of Rehabilitation continues to work on guidelines for NGOs working in Rwanda. These guidelines will enable the Government to give NGOs a country-wide perspective on the country's needs. In addition, it will serve to alleviate current confusion regarding registration and reporting requirements. On Tuesday, 8 November, the Ministry and an ad hoc committee of NGOs is meeting to discuss the second draft of the guidelines.
SECTORAL ACTIVITY
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HEALTH
In the last 6 weeks, vaccination campaigns have been conducted in IDP camps in the Gikongoro area, notably in Kibeho and Kaduha camps. Merlin and MSF have finished vaccination campaigns against measles and meningitis, respectively. There are, however, new reports of an outbreak of meningitis in Butare: 18 new cases have been reported. Movements in and out of the camps as well as returnee movement are likely contributing to renewed cases of meningitis in the wake of vaccination campaigns.
There is sizeable presence of health NGOs in Butare, considered a significant returnee area. Approximately 20 health centres and three hospitals are functional.
With regard to health services in the IDP camps, concerns have been raised as to which NGOs will step in to carry on the services of the BritCon Field Ambulance and the Australian Medical Team who are soon leaving. So far, Care-Australia has agreed to take over the side clinics in Kibeho camp while Caritas will manage the central clinic. Nine other NGOs and aid agencies have taken responsibilities for provision of medical care, food and water. There is still a need for ambulance services in the Butare Prefecture.
HUMAN RIGHTS
Deployment of Human Rights monitors is continuing in various locations in the country. There is a presence in Butare, Gikongoro, Cyangugu and Gisenyi. The deployment of Human Rights monitors has been closely linked to confidence-building activities targeting IDPs.
OTHER INFORMATION
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VISITOR
Ambassador Robert Dillon, the Special Humanitarian Envoy to Rwanda, is scheduled to arrive in Kigali on Friday, 11 November.