KIGALI – As Rwanda marks the 32nd commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi, testimonies from those who witnessed the events leading up to 1994 continue to shed light on one of history’s most devastating failures and expose more deeply troubling realities.
Long before the killings began in April 1994, there were clear and consistent warning signs that pointed to a carefully orchestrated campaign of violence. The tragedy was not sudden, nor was it unforeseen.
Among those bearing witness is Brig. Gen. (Rtd) El Hadji Babacar Faye, a Senegalese peacekeeper who served under the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR).
Speaking during an International Conference on Genocide Prevention held in Rwanda on April 8, 2026, Gen. Faye reflected on his time in the country, describing a situation in which alarming developments were visible on the ground, yet failed to trigger meaningful international response.
His account, like that of other UN officials at the time, reinforces the enduring question of how such evident danger was allowed to escalate into genocide.
Even as the UN mission continued to monitor the implementation of the Arusha Peace Accords, its leadership, including Romeo Dallaire, repeatedly communicated concerns about the deteriorating situation.
But these warnings, despite their urgency, were constrained by limited mandate and insufficient political will, leaving peacekeepers to observe a crisis they could neither prevent nor contain.
Clear Signs of a Looming Catastrophe
Gen. Faye recounts that as early as 1993, UN peacekeepers deployed in areas such as Mulindi, Ruhengeri, Byumba and Kigali began observing patterns that pointed to organized preparations for mass violence. What they encountered went beyond ordinary conflict indicators and instead reflected a deliberate and systematic buildup.
There were reports of lists identifying Tutsis marked for killing circulating in different localities, alongside the quiet but steady distribution of weapons. Militias, particularly the Interahamwe, underwent training, while extremist narratives were amplified through broadcasts that dehumanized Tutsis and normalized hatred.
To those on the ground, these were unmistakable signals of a coordinated plan taking shape.
For Gen. Faye and his colleagues, the accumulation of these developments painted a clear picture of impending danger. It was not a question of whether violence would occur, but rather when and at what scale.
Warnings Ignored, Action Constrained
Despite the clarity of these warning signs, efforts to alert the international community did not yield the response that the situation demanded. Working closely with Gen. Dallaire, Faye witnessed firsthand the repeated attempts to communicate the gravity of the threat to United Nations headquarters.
Dallaire sent urgent messages detailing intelligence received from informants and observations from the field, warning of imminent large-scale violence. However, the mission operated under a Chapter VI mandate, which limited its role to monitoring and supporting peace agreements rather than enforcing peace or protecting civilians.
This constraint proved decisive. Requests for reinforcements and expanded authority were not granted, and the warnings were, in many instances, dismissed or downplayed. At the time, international attention was divided, with other global crises competing for priority, further diminishing the urgency attached to Rwanda’s situation.
By the time the Genocide against the Tutsi began in April 1994, the mission remained unchanged, leaving peacekeepers unable to intervene meaningfully as violence spread rapidly across the country.
Courage in the Face of Failure
Amid the broader failure of the international response, individual acts of courage stood out as rare but powerful exceptions. Among those who chose to act was Captain Mbaye Diagne, who defied the limitations of the UN mandate to rescue hundreds of Tutsis from imminent death.
Operating under constant risk, Diagne used his position and resourcefulness to move people to safety, often navigating dangerous locations with little support. His actions, carried out alongside fellow peacekeepers including Gen. Faye, demonstrated that even within constrained circumstances, decisive choices could save lives.
Diagne ultimately paid the ultimate price for his bravery, losing his life during the Genocide. Today, he is remembered in Rwanda and in Senegal as a symbol of humanity and moral courage in the face of overwhelming adversity.
As Rwanda continues to commemorate the Genocide against the Tutsi, testimonies such as that of Faye serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of inaction. They underscore the importance of recognizing early warning signs and responding decisively, ensuring that the failures of the past are neither forgotten nor repeated.
