CM/Res.1583 (LXII)
Page 1
RESOLUTION ON THE SITUATION IN RWANDA
The Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity, meeting in its Sixty- Second Ordinary Session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 21 to 23 June, 1995,
Having considered the Report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Rwanda, Doc. CM/1884 (LXII), C,
Having heard the statement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Rwanda,
Noting the report of the UN Secretary-General on the UNAMIR of 4 June and the resolutions of 9 June 1995 adopted by the Security Council,
Noting with satisfaction the measures and initiative being taken by the Government of Rwanda to guarantee peace and security throughout the country,
Expressing its deep concern over the continued flow of arms into the region and the resultant armed incursions in Rwanda, and bearing in mind the recent incidents arising from the closure of the KIBEHO camp of displaced persons during which many civilians lost their lives,
Aware if the fact that the presence of refugees in neighbouring countries continues to constitute a problem not only for the countries of asylum but also for the Government of Rwanda,
Noting with satisfaction the generous hospitality of the neighbouring countries, especially Zaire, Tanzania and Burundi which have played host to nearly 2 million Rwandan Refugees who fled their country in the wake of the war,
Appreciative of the humanitarian role being played by the United Nations and other international organizations, as well as non-governmental Organizations in Rwanda and in the countries of asylum,
Recalling the convening of the Nairobi, Regional Summit on 7 January 1995, aimed at finding durable solutions in Rwanda,
Expressing its appreciation to the African Countries which have generously provided Contingents to the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR):
TAKES NOTE of the report of the Secretary-General and URGES him to pursue his relentless efforts aimed at assisting in the restoration of lasting peace in Rwanda;
EXPRESSES ITS INDIGNATION over the genocide and the massacres perpetrated in Rwanda between April and mid-July 1994 and CONDEMNS the ring leaders and other perpetrators of this crime against humanity, first of its kind in the annals of Africa and the whole world throughout this last half century;
REAFFIRMS ITS SUPPORT for the conclusions of the Nairobi Regional Summit of 7 January 1995 and CALLS all concerned, especially the UN and the UNHCR, to ensure the immediate implementation of the outcome of that meeting;
EXPRESSES ITS UNEQUIVOCAL SUPPORT for UN Security Council Resolution 978 which called for the arrest and trial of all persons suspected to have been involved in the massacres and genocide of April – July, 1994;
REQUESTS the OAU and African countries to cooperate fully with the International Tribunal for Rwanda, and to provide the Government of Rwanda with the relevant personnel in order to facilitate the process of bringing to justice all suspects;
COMMENDS the neighbouring countries which, despite their own problems, continue to offer hospitality to Rwandese Refugees;
STRONGLY URGES the United Nations and indeed the International Community as a whole to continue to take the necessary measures including logistical and financial support to asylum countries (Zaire, Tanzania and Burundi in particular) to enable them carry out the separation of militias and former army personnel from the bona fide refugees within the camps;
REQUESTS the donor organizations and countries to release fully and early the funds pledged during the Round Table Conference held in Geneva in 18 and 19 January, 1994 for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Rwanda;
URGES the countries of the region to continue to stem the illegal flow of arms, which action should contribute to ending the general state of instability and destabilization of the Region;
URGES the Government of Rwanda to continue its efforts aimed at creating propitious conditions for the voluntary return of Rwandese refugees who had sought asylum in the neighbouring countries, namely, Tanzania, Burundi and Zaire;
COMMENDS the exemplary role played by African forces serving in the UNAMIR and CALLS UPON the troop-contribution countries to continue rendering the crucial assistance to the Government of Rwanda within the framework of the revised mandate of UNAMIR II;
CONGRATULATES the Current Chairman of the OAU H.E. Zein El- Abidine Ben Ali and the Secretary-General of the OAU, H.E. Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim for their untiring efforts deployed in the search for a peaceful settlement and lasting solution to the Rwandan crisis;
EXPRESSES APPRECIATION to the international humanitarian organizations, including the NGOs, for their role in meeting the needs of the refugees, returnees and displaced persons in Rwanda;
REQUESTS the Secretary-General to continue to closely monitor developments in Rwanda and to submit a report thereon to the next session of the Council of Ministers.