SUMMARY

After the Hutu-dominated government of Rwanda was ousted in late July 1994 by the RPF (Front patriotique rwandais, Rwandan Patriotic Front) members of the Interahamwe militia and the ex-FAR (ex-Forces armees rwandaises: ex-Rwandan Armed Forces) escaped into the DR Congo (Zaire) along with hundreds of thousands of Hutu refugees.

The Interahamwe was formed as a government-sponsored and government-controlled militia, responsible for carrying out the bulk of the Rwandan genocide of 1994. The ex-FAR also participated actively in the genocide and both groups thus fled the advance of the RPF to escape its expected revenge.

The exact numbers and organisational structure of these two groups during the time of the escape is unclear but both groups were, at least nominally, under the control of the remnants of the Hutu government and military that likewise fled the RPF’s advance through Rwanda. During this exodus towards DR Congo (Zaire) the Interahamwe, ex-FAR made use of one-sided violence.

Having reached the relative safety of the eastern parts of DR Congo (Zaire) the Interahamwe and ex-FAR elements regrouped in the vast refugee camps that were set up to cater for the refugees. In these camps the groups began to reorganise themselves and many of these fighters later ended up in the PALIR (Peuple en armes pour la libération du Rwanda, Armed People for the Liberation of Rwanda) group that began to oppose the new RPF-controlled government of Rwanda. The PALIR was later incorporated into the FDLR (Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda, Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda), which also opposed the government of Rwanda. This actor thus ceased to exist as its fighters were incorporated into more organised movements.

The Interahamwe, ex-FAR group has been involved in the one-sided category of UCDP organised violence.