Rwanda rebels are building a new army. The two last months have seen
dazzling
successful actions. While the government army is collapsing, the rebels'
army has
increased in strength. "The developments and achievements during last
year have
prompted our army to review its objectives and strategies," said a
rebel Major.
I.1- First, there was an extension of the "liberation march" to the central region of Gitarama. Hardly the people of Rutobwe, a commune deep in Gitarama, spend a day without bombs attacks from Government helicopter gunships. The fights between the Government and the rebels have engulfed the entire region of Ndiza and is extending to Central parts of Gitarama, including Nyamabuye, Rutobwe, and Musambira.
The rebels hit wherever they want, whenever they want. "Seldom is our strategy to occupy a territory. Liberation is often a side effect. We attack Government positions to stock up with weapons. Government troops flee, abandoning weapons, and never come back as ground troops. This is how regions are liberated. And that is why so far we have avoided main cities, " added the Major.
I.2- Second, by taking over the Ndiza region, the rebels have established a link with their companion in arms, isolated in Rushashi mountains since 1994. These rebels in Rushashi were ex-FAR soldiers who never left Rwanda. They have been keeping a low profile since July 1994. Once, they ambushed a military convoy in seriously injured Colonel KaKa, an RPF war hero. The junction between Ndiza and Rushashi has been the single most important achievement.
I.3-Third, the rebels ambushed and killed Major Birasa, the military top Commander of Byumba region, along with more than 60 soldiers and 10 officers including 3 captains. Major Birasa was on his way to Byumba with important sums of money to pay the battalion stationed in Byumba-Base region. The rebels recuperated the money, estimated to US$600,000 and burned the military trucks. With the money, the rebels acquired new equipment including radios and boots, and payed the rest to peasants who supplied them with cattle, chicken, and food.
I.4-Forth, the rebels finished the cleaning of the "liberation" army. Every fighter who ever belonged to the notorious Interahamwe was asked to leave the rebels army. This left the army with, either ex-FAR or new recruits.
I.5-Fifth, the rebels shot down a second helicopter gunship in 6 moths. The first helicopter gunship was shot down in November 1997, in Birunga. This new helicopter was shot down in Ruhondo, Ruhengeri. In the burning frame witnesses saw bodies of White pilots. This action surprised even some observers, since Ruhondo had been a very quiet, actually the only Commune under the Government grip in the entire Ruhengeri prefecture so far, along with the Ruhengeri downtown. In fact, the rebels control even the outskirts of the town of Ruhengeri, from what is known as "Ku Rukiko", to Musanze, the Nyakinama's banana plantations and the hills overlooking Nkumba and Ruhondo.
I.6-Sixth, the Tutsi-Bagogwe members of the rebels conducted successful operations and have started a campaign of soothing the tarnished relationship between the rebels' army and the Tutsi population.
Clearly, the rebels had incredible two months. However, they face new challenges too.
II.2- The Government army conducts indiscriminate killings of civilians and many orphans are cared for by the rebel nurses, women, and elderly.
II.3- The rebels currently control a very large region, including the entire Gisenyi prefecture, except the Gisenyi downtown, Ndiza in Gitarama, Ruhengeri, except downtown, West of Byumba, North of Kibuye, and North of Kigali. They have also pockets of insurgents in Gikongoro and Cyangugu. To control the region requires more organization and more stable administration. The rebels have already nominated their own administration from Community councillors to Nyumbakumi.
II.4- Secondary schools are closed in these regions, except Inyemeramihigo and the school of nurse assistants, in Gisenyi town and the College of Rwaza in Ruhengeri. Apart from the College of Rwaza that Rebels did no attack on purpose, the two other schools hardly admit students from Rebel controlled areas.
III.2- The rebels have acquired sophisticated communication equipments and launch coordinated raids. For example, the last Government position in Ramba was composed of 1800 soldiers, reinforced with armored tanks, mortars, rocket launchers "Katyusha", and howitzers. The rebels attacked in thousands and overwhelmed the Government troops. Most of the Government soldiers were killed. Others fled, abandoning heavy weapons behind. The rebels used the weapons against retreating army troops and burned those they didn't need. Since then, the Government has completely abandoned Ramba and the surrounding region to rebels.
III.3- Agriculture: in rebel controlled areas, each unit of fighters has its own schedule to participate in planting and cultivating crops.
III.4- Education: the rebels try to teach reading and writing.