Rwanda Defence Force Explained

Rwanda Defence Force
Native Name:Kinyarwanda: Ingabo z'u Rwanda
French: Forces rwandaises de défense
Swahili: Jeshi la Ulinzi la Rwanda
Founded:1962
Current Form:1994
Branches:Rwandan Land Force
Rwandan Air Force
Rwandan Reserve Force
Headquarters:Kigali[1]
Commander-In-Chief:Paul Kagame
Commander-In-Chief Title:Commander-in-Chief
Minister:Juvenal Marizamunda
Minister Title:Minister of Defence
Commander:General Mubarak Muganga
Commander Title:Chief of Defence Staff
Manpower Age:18–49[2]
Available:2,625,917
Available F:2,608,110
Fit:1,685,066
Fit F:1,749,580
Active:33,000
Amount:$91 million (2015)
Percent Gdp:1.1% (2015)
Foreign Suppliers: Brazil
China
India
Indonesia
Israel
Poland
South Africa
Turkey
History:Military history of Rwanda
Rwandan Civil War
Kibeho Massacre
First Congo War
Second Congo War
Six-Day War (2000)
Dongo conflict
2009 Eastern Congo offensive
Insurgency in Cabo Delgado
Democratic Republic of the Congo–Rwanda tensions (2022–present)
Ranks:Military ranks of Rwanda

The Rwanda Defence Force (RDF, Kinyarwanda: Ingabo z'u Rwanda, French: Forces rwandaises de défense, Swahili: Nguvu ya Ulinzi ya Watu wa Rwanda) is the military of the Republic of Rwanda. The country's armed forces were originally known as the Rwandan Armed Forces (FAR), but following the Rwandan Civil War of 1990–1994 and the Rwandan genocide of 1994 against the Tutsi, the victorious Rwandan Patriotic Front (Inkotanyi) created a new organization and named it the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA). Later, it was renamed to its current name.

The Rwanda Defence Force’s mission as provided in the Constitution of Rwanda is:

After it conquered the country in July 1994 in the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide of April to July 1994, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) decided to split into a political division (which retained the RPF name) and a military division, which would serve as the official army of the Rwandan state.

Defence spending continues to represent an important share of the national budget, largely due to continuing security problems along Rwanda's frontiers with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi, and lingering concerns about Uganda's intentions towards its former ally.

There is an ongoing, low-level insurgency from Rwandan rebels based in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, mainly the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (or FDLR).

The RDF is regularly deployed in peacekeeping missions in Africa. Rwanda is now one of the largest contributors of personnel on UN missions.

Historical outline 1960–1994

While Rwanda was a Belgian colony administered as a part of Ruanda-Urundi, its security was provided by the Force Publique, the colonial army of the Belgian Congo. As the Congo was due to achieve independence in 1960 and withdraw its forces, the Belgian Special Resident decided to create an indigenous army to provide for Rwanda's security. On 19 May 1960 he ordered the recruitment of a 650-strong military force to become the Garde Territoriale. The force was later renamed the Garde Nationale. The U.S. Army's Area Handbook for Rwanda, compiled in 1968–9, describes the security forces of Rwanda in 1969 as the 2,500 strong National Guard and the National Police, about 1,200 strong.[3]

The Forces armées rwandaises (FAR) was the national army of Rwanda until July 1994, when the government collapsed in the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide and the war with the Rwandan Patriotic Front (Inkotanyi). The FAR was estimated at 7,000 strong, including approximately 1,200 members of the Gendarmerie. Elite troops included the Presidential Guard, estimated at between 1,000 and 1,300 troops, as well as the Paracommando and Reconnaissance units.[4] These two units were of battalion strength by 1994, and then counted a total of 800 troops.[5]

In response to the RPF invasion of 1990, the 5,000-man FAR rapidly expanded, with French training assistance (as many as 1,100 French troops were in Rwanda at a time[6]), to some 30,000 by 1992.[7]

The Arusha Accords, signed on August 4, 1993, laid out a detailed plan for the integration of the Rwandan Government and Rwandan Patriotic Front military forces.[8] The Rwandan government was to provide 60% of the troops for the new integrated army, but would have to share command positions with the RPF down to the level of battalion. The new army was to consist of no more than 19,000 soldiers and 6,000 Gendarmerie.[9] However radical elements within the Rwandan government were implacably opposed to implementation of the Accords and, instead, began the planning that would lay the foundations for the genocide.

The Reconnaissance Battalion's commander, François-Xavier Nzuwonemeye, and his subordinates played a key role during the genocide. Together with the Reconnaissance Battalion, the Paracommando Battalion under Major Aloys Ntabakuze and the Presidential Guard under Major Protais Mpiranya became the three most significant genocidare units.

Col. Marcel Gatsinzi was briefly named chief of staff of the Rwandan army from April 6 to April 16, 1994, but was replaced by Augustin Bizimungu, who was also promoted to major general on 18 April,[10] since Col. Gatsinzi opposed the genocide.[11] Bizimungu was only briefly chief of staff before fleeing the country. Many soldiers of the FAR have since been implicated by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in the genocide, including its leader during the genocide, Col. Théoneste Bagosora, who was chief of the cabinet (private office) of the Ministry of Defence prior to the genocide.

Many elements of the former Rwandan regime, including soldiers of the FAR, fled to eastern Zaire after the RPF victory, where they formed the Rassemblement Démocratique pour le Rwanda (RDR), which later became the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), which is still active in eastern Congo's North Kivu Province.

Post-1994 operations

First Congo War, 1996 to 1997

See main article First Congo War.

Second Congo War, 1998 to 2003

See main article Second Congo War.

Circa 2000 during the Second Congo War, the Rwanda Patriotic Army unofficially admitted to having 4,000 to 8,000 troops deployed in the Congo, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit, but this was believed to be a substantial understatement.[12] The International Crisis Group estimated that the RPA has between 17,000 and 25,000 troops deployed in the Congo. In April 2001, a United Nations report on the exploitation of the Congo, said the RPA had a minimum of 25,000 troops in the Congo, an estimate the report attributes to "military specialists with a great deal of experience in the region."[13] During the deployment in the DRC, Rwandan forces fought the so-called "Six-Day War" against Ugandan forces over the city of Kisangani, leaving at least 1,000 dead.

On 17 September 2002 the first Rwandan soldiers were withdrawn from the eastern DRC. On 5 October Rwanda announced the completion of its withdrawal; MONUC confirmed the departure of over 20,000 Rwandan soldiers.

Ongoing insurgency

There is an ongoing, low-level insurgency from Rwandan rebels based in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; mainly the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (or FDLR)[14] During early 2009 the RDF operated in eastern DRC against FDLR rebels in joint operations with the armed forces of the DRC. The initial 2009 deployment was code-named Operation Umoja Wetu. The RDF re-entered the DRC in 2009 to assist the DRC in putting down the Dongo Rebellion. These operations inside the DRC did not prevent cross-border attacks within Rwanda during late 2012, August 2013, December 2018 and December 2019.

There has also been a small number of attacks in southern Rwanda from Burundi-based rebels. These attacks are usually blamed on the National Forces of Liberation (Forces nationales de libération), or FNL.[15] [16] The FNL is the armed wing of an externally-based opposition party: the Rwandan Movement for Democratic Change, or MRCD, which was formed by Paul Rusesabagina and Callixte Nsabimana.[17] Rusesabagina is considered by some to be a hero of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide and his actions are portrayed in the Hollywood film 'Hotel Rwanda'. Rusesabagina and Nsabimana were kidnapped and flown to Kigali, where they were arrested, in September 2020. Their trial continues.[18] Incursions into southern Rwanda by armed members of the FNL occurred in 2018 and 2019 [19] [18] and, more recently, on 27 June 2020 [20] and 23 May 2021.[21]

The Rwanda National Congress is another opposition group reported by the Kigali Government as carrying out attacks in Rwanda.[22] [23] These include blame for grenade attacks in Rwanda between 2010 and 2014 that killed at least 17 people and injured over 400 others.[24]

Mozambique

On 9 July 2021 a 1000-strong joint Rwandan military police force started deploying to northern Mozambique to assist the national security forces in combating Islamic extremists.[25] [26] [27] The Joint Task Force was commanded by Maj. Gen. Innocent Kabandana and initially comprised 700 soldiers and 300 police.[28] The Rwandan deployment to Mozambique under a bilateral agreement pre-empted a long-planned Southern African Development Council (SADC) military operation.[29]

The Joint Task Force was soon in action and within the month was reported to have overrun a terrorist base and inflicted casualties.[30] [31] In August 2021 it was reported that the contingent had eliminated 14 insurgents in total.[32] The port town of Mocimboa da Praia was then recaptured from insurgents.[33]

Operations then became more scattered across the northern province, and President Kagame announced in February 2022 that 80% of the enemy occupied Cabo Delgado province had been recaptured since mid-2021.[34] At this time the Rwandan Joint Task Force was commanded by Brig. Gen. P. Muhizi.[35]

The Joint Task Force was reported to have increased to 2,500 personnel in December 2022 and, in January 2023, the commander was Maj. Gen. Eugene Nkubito.[36] [37]

On 4 August 2023 there was a change of command when Maj. Gen. Alexis Kagame assumed command of the Joint Task Force from Maj. Gen Eugene Nkubito and the Task Force Battle Group (TFBG) commander Brig. Gen. F. Mutembe handed over to Col. T. Bahizi, the incoming TFBG 3 Commander.[38] [39]

Peacekeeping support operations

The RDF has deployed forces on a number of UN and AU-endorsed peacekeeping support operations in Africa. Rwanda is now one of the largest contributors of personnel on UN missions. Deployments include:

African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS)Units were deployed on year-long tours of duty between August 2004 and December 2007. The peak commitment was four battalions.

United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS)In the first ever deployment of Rwandan personnel on a United Nations mission, a small contingent of 254 personnel was deployed for year-long tours between November 2005[40] and September 2010.

African Union/ United Nations Hybrid Mission to Darfur (UNAMID)This UN mission superseded the AU mission in the Darfur region of Sudan. Infantry battalions have been deployed, for year-long tours, between January 2008 and mid-2020. Starting with a peak deployed strength of four battalions, the numbers had declined by mid-2020 to two battalions.

United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) In April 2012 a Rwandan contingent was deployed to this UN mission in the newly independent country of South Sudan. The deployment was continuing in mid-2020, by when an aviation unit, two infantry battalions and a Regional Protection Force battalion were deployed.

AU-led International Support Mission to the CAR (MISCA)This African Union mission to the troubled Central African Republic was joined, between January and September 2014, by a Rwandan mechanised battalion.[41] [42]

United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA)This UN mission superseded the AU-led mission in the Central African Republic. Rwanda provides a protection battalion in the capital of Bangui, a level two hospital in the town of Bria and, from September 2017, a battle group comprising a mechanised infantry battalion. During August 2021 the Rwandan was expanded again, when a third Rwandan infantry battalion was deployed to the CAR.[43]

Command

See main article: Chief of Defence Staff (Rwanda). The RDF command comprises:[44]

Organisation

Ranks

See main article: Military ranks of Rwanda.

Training establishments

Major training centres include:[45] [46] [47] [48]

Land Forces

Several sources, including Gérard Prunier, document U.S. aid to the RPA before the First Congo War.[49] The officially admitted part of the training was Joint Combined Exchange Training. Prunier strongly implies the United States supplied communications equipment, vehicles, boots, and medicines to the RPA before the war began and after it broke out, delivered second-hand Warsaw Pact weapons and ammunition either directly to Goma or by airdrop along the AFDL front lines. He reports that after the war's outbreak, the U.S. Air Force had switched from using C-141 Starlifters and C-5 Galaxys to deliver the non-lethal aid to Kigali Airport and Entebbe Airport, to airdrops by C-130 Hercules aircraft.[50]

From July 1994 until December 1997 the RPA had six brigades, as designated in the Arusha Accords: 402nd in Kigali and Kigali Rurale Prefecture; 201st in Kibungo, Umatura, and Byumba Prefectures; 301st in Butare, Gikongoro, and Cyangugu Prefectures; 305th in Gitatama and Kibuye Prefectures; and 211th in Gisenyi and Ruhengeri Prefectures. The brigade boundaries mirrored the political administrative boundaries, which often complicated military operations.[51] During the First Congo War the brigade headquarters remained inside Rwanda but directed operations inside the Democratic Republic of the Congo.[52]

Jane's World Armies said in July 2009 that the RDF is deployed to protect the country's borders and defend against external aggression. There are four divisions, each deploying three brigades:

Brigades reported include:

Many soldiers from the former Rwandan Armed Forces (FAR), the national army under the previous regime, have been incorporated into the RDF since 1994. This process began soon after the genocide in January 1995, when several former FAR officers were given senior positions in the new armed forces: Col. (later Gen.) Marcel Gatsinzi became the Deputy Chief of Staff of the RPA, Col. Balthazar Ndengeyinka became commander of the 305th Brigade, Lt. Col. Laurent Munyakazi took command of the 99th Battalion, and Lt. Col. (later Brig. Gen.) Emmanuel Habyarimana became an RPA Member of Parliament and Director of Training in the Ministry of Defence. Gen. Gatsinzi later became Director of Security and then Minister of Defence in 2002.[66]

Marine Unit

The Rwandan Land Forces also contain a marine unit which operates on Lake Kivu. The unit utilizes several Fabio Buzzi powerboats equipped as fast attack craft, each armed with a single Chinese Type-85 heavy machine gun.[67] In 2021, Rwanda deployed several of the powerboats to operate in littoral waters in the Indian Ocean as part of its deployment to support Mozambique during the Insurgency in Cabo Delgado.

Air Force

See main article: Rwandan Air Force. After achieving independence in 1962, the air arm (Force aérienne rwandaise) was formed with Belgian help.[68] By 1972 the first modern equipment started to arrive in the form of seven Alouette IIIs. Other deliveries included Aérospatiale Gazelle, Britten-Norman Islanders, Nord Noratlas, SOCATA Guerrier armed light planes and Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil. After fighting began between the RPA and the government in 1990 most aircraft were shot down, destroyed on the ground or crashed. Few survived.

Flight International's World Air Forces 2017 states the Rwandan Air Force has twelve Mil Mi-8/17 helicopters, five Mil Mi-24 and four Aerospatiale Gazelle SA.342.

During December 2012 an aviation unit of three helicopters was sent to the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).[69] The Rwandan Aviation Unit was subsequently increased to six helicopters - reportedly Mi-17.[70]

Aircraft

TypeManufacturerOriginClassRoleIn service[71] Photo
Mi-24MilHelicopterAttack5
Mi-8/17MilHelicopterTransport12
SA.342 GazelleAerospatialeHelicopterUtility5

Equipment

Army equipment

NameTypeOriginPhotoQuantity[72]
T-55Tank34
Ratel IFVInfantry fighting vehicle South Africa35
BMP-1Infantry fighting vehicle?
RG-31 NyalaInfantry fighting vehicle36
WZ-551Armoured personnel carrier20
Panhard M3Armoured personnel carrier16
BTR-60Armoured personnel carrier?
Otokar CobraInfantry mobility vehicle30-49[73] [74]
Véhicule Blindé LégerArmoured car16
Panhard AMLArmoured car12
RM-70Multiple rocket launcher5
LAR-160Multiple rocket launcher5
122 mm howitzer 2A18 (D-30)Artillery6
105mm M101Artillery?

Small arms

NameTypeOriginPhotoCaliber
FN FAL[75] Battle rifle7.62x51mm NATO
AKM[76] Assault rifle7.62x39mm
Vektor R5[77] [78] Assault rifle5.56×45mm NATO
IWI Tavor[79] Assault rifle5.56×45mm NATO
Type 56 assault rifle[80] Assault rifle7.62x39mm
Zastava M76[81] Sniper rifle7.92×57mm Mauser
M2 BrowningHeavy machine gun.50 BMG (12.7×99mm NATO)
DShK[82] Heavy machine gun12.7×108mm
Vektor SS-77[83] General purpose machine gun7.62×51mm NATO
PKMGeneral purpose machine gun7.62×54mmR
IMI UziSubmachine gun9mm Parabellum
Browning Hi-PowerSemi-automatic weapon9mm Parabellum
RPG-7Rocket launcher

Characteristics

Marching style

Despite not being a former British colony, Rwanda has generally used British foot drill during official parades and functions. Since 2019, however, the RDF has adopted the Chinese variant of the goosestep, which is today mostly used by countries in Central and Eastern Europe, by communist countries, as well as by countries with a large Prussian/German influence (Russia, China and Chile all being examples of each). It was first displayed in April during the military parade in honor of the Rwandan genocide's silver jubilee on Liberation Day, in which over 1,500 RDF soldiers and policemen trained by six members of the Beijing Garrison Honor Guard Battalion of the People's Liberation Army's Central Theater Command marched while using the goosestep. Mandarin parade commands are used, such as "Look to the right!" to which the soldiers respond with "One! Two!", which is done similarly in the PLA honor guard.[84] [85] Prior to this, only the rebels utilized the goosestep during the Civil War, as they received military training in the neighboring country of Uganda, which uses the goosestep.[86]

RDF Band

The Rwanda Defence Forces Army Band is the military band of the RDF. The RDF Band was founded in 1992 during the Rwandan Civil War and gave its first performance on 8 March 1992. After the war, it was re-established with 46 members. Although it represents the defence forces, it falls under the command of the Land Forces.[87] [88]

Bibliography

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

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  4. Des Forges, 1999, p.43
  5. Des Forges, 1999, p.194
  6. Prunier, The Rwanda Crisis, p.163, cited in Des Forges, 1999, p.118
  7. [Alison Des Forges]
  8. See Arusha Accords, hosted at University of Ulster, pages 49-71
  9. Des Forges, 1999, p.124-125
  10. Book: Guichaoua . André . From War to Genocide: Criminal Politics in Rwanda, 1990–1994 . 2015 . University of Wisconsin Press . 9780299298203 . 251 .
  11. Des Forges, 1999, p. 264
  12. Web site: The Rwandan patriotic Army and Military Commercialism in Eastern Congo. 2019-10-24.
  13. [United Nations Security Council]
  14. 'Militia Leader Wanted for War Crimes Killed in Congo', Voice of America (Washington, DC), 19 September 2019.
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  39. Ministry of Defence, Kigali, website, 4 August 2023, "MAJ GEN ALEX KAGAME TAKES OVER THE JOINT TASK FORCE COMMAND IN MOZAMBIQUE", https://www.mod.gov.rw/news-detail/maj-gen-alex-kagame-takes-over-the-joint-task-force-command-in-mozambique
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  86. Book: Parker. Allison. Hidden in Plain View: Refugees Living Without Protection in Nairobi and Kampala. 2002. Human Rights Watch. New York, NY. 9781564322814. 89. The RPF had very close ties with the Ugandan government as many of its leaders came from the exiled Tutsi community in Uganda and had become an important force within Museveni's rebel force ... As a result, many members of the elite in Rwanda look back on a period of military training in Uganda, and retain close links with the Ugandan military..
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  88. Web site: The Rwandan Defence Force Army Band receive training from the SA Army Band Cape Town. Cool Classic. Kidz. Feb 4, 2011. SA Army Band Cape Town. Sep 6, 2019.