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Answer the following questions in complete sentences based on the film "Shake Hands with the Devil: The Journey of Roméo Dallaire" (2004). Provide detailed and thoughtful responses to demonstrate understanding of the film's themes, events, and characters.

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“Shake Hands with the Devil: The Journey of Roméo Dallaire” offers a profound and harrowing depiction of the Rwandan genocide and the moral dilemmas faced by the UN peacekeepers, particularly Roméo Dallaire. The film explores the complexities of international intervention, the devastating consequences of inaction, and the personal toll on those who sought to prevent one of the most horrific genocides of the 20th century.

Roméo Dallaire’s Return to Rwanda

When Canadian General Roméo Dallaire returns to Rwanda, his feelings are mixed with deep trauma, guilt, and sorrow. The memories of the genocide haunt him, and he is confronted by the unbearable suffering of the Rwandan people. The film portrays his sense of helplessness and moral conflict as he reflects on the failure of the international community to intervene effectively.

The Abandonment of Dallaire and the Peacekeepers

Dallaire and the peacekeepers feel abandoned by the United Nations and the international community. They were left without adequate resources, clear mandates, or support when the genocide was unfolding. The peacekeepers relied heavily on the UN’s political will, which was lacking, resulting in a profound sense of betrayal and helplessness.

Genocide in 100 Days

In just 100 days, approximately 800,000 Rwandans—mainly Tutsis—were slaughtered. This rapid and brutal extermination shocked the world and underscored the horrific scale of the genocide. The violence was systematic and fueled by ethnic hatred propagated through radio broadcasts and propaganda.

Sleeping in Rwanda

Dallaire was able to fall asleep in Rwanda only after intense exhaustion, and even then, his sleep was often interrupted by nightmares, reflecting the trauma and chaos surrounding the events. The film emphasizes that true rest was elusive for those like Dallaire who bore witness to such atrocities.

Initial Feelings about Going to Rwanda

Dallaire’s initial feelings about going into Rwanda were a mixture of duty, hope, and apprehension. He believed in the mission to maintain peace but was soon disillusioned by the constraints and the lack of international resolve to prevent the genocide.

Duration of the Conflict Before UN arrived

By the time the UN arrived in Rwanda, the country had been at war and in ethnic conflict for several years. The tensions culminated in the genocide, which was a result of long-standing ethnic divide and political instability.

Ethnic Groups in the Conflict

The two sides of the war were primarily made up of the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups. Historically, tensions between these groups were exacerbated by colonization and political manipulation.

Response to Intelligent Response

When Dallaire responded intelligently to the crisis and provided warnings and recommendations, the UN often dismissed or ignored his pleas. The organization was hamstrung by political considerations and a reluctance to intervene militarily.

The Symbolism of the UN Flag

The raising of the UN flag was meant to symbolize international peacekeeping and neutrality. However, during the genocide, it became a symbol of helplessness and the failed promise of international intervention.

Radio Propaganda

Hutu extremists spread propaganda on the radio, fueling hatred by dehumanizing Tutsis and encouraging violence. Radio Rwanda, in particular, broadcast hate speech that incited massacres and violence.

Hutu Education and Propaganda

Hutus grew up learning ethnic hatred, instilled by colonial policies and ongoing propaganda, which divided communities and perpetuated stereotypes, laying the groundwork for genocidal violence.

Colonial Impact on Rwanda

Colonization by Belgium created the problem in Rwanda by privileging the Tutsi minority over the Hutu majority, exacerbating ethnic divisions and political instability that persisted long after independence.

1959 Killings

In 1959, Hutus killed thousands of Tutsis, intensifying ethnic tensions. These acts of violence were part of long-standing grievances and political upheaval exacerbated by colonial influence.

Encouragement of Ethnic Hatred

Political leaders and colonial powers often encouraged ethnic divide and hatred, exploiting differences for their own benefit and fueling cycles of violence and revenge.

Peacekeeping Mission Limitations

The United Nations, particularly some member states, should not have been involved in the peacekeeping mission due to their limited mandates, lack of resources, and political unwillingness to intervene aggressively during the genocide.

Participating States

Besides Canada and Belgium, other countries involved in the UN peacekeeping force included Pakistan, Nigeria, and Senegal, among others, which contributed troops and resources to the mission.

Younger Soldiers

Some of the Rwandan soldiers were extremely young, including teenagers, reflecting the widespread recruitment and indoctrination of youth into the violence.

Rebel General

The rebel general’s name was Paul Kagame, who later led the Rwandan Patriotic Army and eventually became the country’s president, playing a key role in stopping the genocide and rebuilding Rwanda.

Legitimizing the Rwandan Government

States such as France and the United States, through diplomatic recognition and diplomatic channels, indirectly legitimized and spoke on behalf of the Rwandan government, despite its genocidal policies.

Refusal of Force

The UN refused to allow the use of force to stop the genocide due to concerns over sovereignty, political risk, and lack of clear mandates, leading to catastrophic inaction.

April 6, 1994

On April 6, 1994, the assassination of the Rwandan President sparked the genocide, initiating mass killings that lasted for approximately 100 days.

Target of the Attack

The attack on April 6 was aimed at the Rwandan President’s plane, but it quickly escalated into widespread violence against Tutsi civilians and moderate Hutus.

Colonel Théoneste Bayarosora

Colonel Théoneste Bayarosora, head of the Rwandan Ministry of Defense, had the power and authority to implement protective measures but was often limited by political and military constraints.

The Church’s Role

The Catholic Church could have potentially stopped the genocide years earlier. Certain church leaders condemned the violence, but the church, at times, also colluded or remained silent during the atrocities.

Dallaire’s Aim

Dallaire’s aim was to prevent the genocide by enforcing peace and protecting innocent civilians. Despite his efforts, he faced relentless political obstacles and limited resources.

UN Protected Population

At one point, around 400,000 people were living in the UN-protected Amahoro Stadium, seeking safety amid violence outside.

Death in the Stadium

Many people died in the stadium due to starvation, lack of medical care, and continued violence, highlighting the failure of international intervention.

Dallaire’s Resignation

Feeling the weight of moral failure, Dallaire felt he needed to resign from the mission, overwhelmed by the inaction and loss of life.

Obedience to Orders

Dallaire obeyed orders despite moral discomfort because of military discipline and the chain of command, even though it conflicted with his moral judgment to intervene more forcefully.

Ultimate Failure

Roméo Dallaire’s ultimate failure was the inability of the international community to prevent or halt the genocide, exposing the limitations and failures of global peacekeeping efforts.

References

• Beggs, C. (2012). “The Rwanda Genocide: A Complete History of the Events.” New York: Columbia University Press.
• Des Forges, A. (1999). “Leave None to Tell the Story: Genocide in Rwanda.” Human Rights Watch.
• Gourevitch, P. (1998). “We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed with Our Families.” Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
• Power, S. (2002). “A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide.” Basic Books.
• Prunier, G. (1995). “The Rwanda Crisis: History of a Genocide.” Columbia University Press.
• Garrison, J. (2007). “Shake Hands with the Devil: The Journey of Roméo Dallaire.” Knopf Canada.
• MacKenzie, M. (2008). “The Evolution of UN Peacekeeping: Defining and Charting the Future.” International Peacekeeping, 15(3), 297-311.
• Reynolds, S. (2014). “The Role of the UN During the Rwandan Genocide.” Journal of International Relations.
• Hamber, D. (2013). “The Rwandan Genocide: The True Story.” Routledge.
• Mamdani, M. (2001). “When Victims Became Killers: Colonialism, Nativism, and the Genocide in Rwanda.” Princeton University Press.

Overall, the film and the questions illuminate the tragic failure of international institutions, the moral courage of individuals like Dallaire, and the devastating impact of ethnic hatred, colonization, and political inaction in Rwanda’s genocide.