The year 1993 marked a pivotal moment in the history of Rwanda, as it witnessed the signing of the Parity Accords, also referred to as the Arusha peace agreement. After years of political turmoil and ethnic tension, this agreement was seen as a beacon of hope for the people of Rwanda, who were yearning for an end to violence and a return to stability.
The accord was brokered by the international community, led by the Organization of African Unity (OAU), in an effort to bring an end to the civil war between the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) and the ruling regime, which had been ongoing since 1990. The negotiations, which took two years, were led by Tanzania`s then-president, Julius Nyerere.
The agreement sought to establish a power-sharing government, in which the majority Hutu and minority Tutsi communities would have equal representation. It also included provisions for the disarmament of both sides, the repatriation of refugees, and the return of exiles.
Initially, the agreement was hailed as a major breakthrough, and many believed it would bring an end to the conflict that had claimed tens of thousands of lives. However, it was not to be. Just months after the accord was signed, the Rwandan president, Juvenal Habyarimana, was assassinated in a plane crash, triggering a wave of violence that would tear the country apart.
The genocide that followed, in which an estimated 800,000 people were killed, was one of the worst atrocities of the 20th century. The failure of the peace agreement to prevent this tragedy has led many to question its efficacy and the role of the international community in preventing it.
Despite its tragic outcome, the Arusha peace agreement remains an important milestone in the history of Rwanda. It represented a sincere effort by the international community to broker a peaceful solution to the conflict and to address the underlying issues of inequality and ethnic tension.
Today, Rwanda is a very different country than it was in 1993. While the scars of the genocide still linger, the country has made remarkable progress in rebuilding and reconciliation. The peace agreement may have failed to prevent the tragedy that followed, but it remains a reminder of the importance of diplomacy, dialogue, and cooperation in resolving conflicts and promoting peace.
