Abstract
Lieutenant General Roméo Dallaire, as force commander for the United Nations Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) and the figure most associated with the infamous mission, has often been ac- cused of providing poor leadership that ultimately failed to prevent the outbreak of genocide in April 1994. To evaluate this claim, it is necessary to analyze Dallaire’s actions prior to the outbreak. By looking at his personal suitability, situational nuances, and moments of opportunity during the UNAMIR mission between October 1993 and April 1994, it is possible to form an accurate assess- ment of Lieutenant General Dallaire’s leadership in Rwanda and its relation to the development of the catastrophe. This article will demonstrate that prior to the death of Rwandan President Juvenal Habyarimana, Dallaire succeeded in fulfilling UNAMIR’s directives despite resistance on all sides. This assessment disproves arguments that his failure in leading UNAMIR was a primary contribut- ing factor to the outbreak of the Rwandan Genocide.
DOI
10.3138/gsp.7.2/3.184
Recommended Citation
Devonshire, Sarah
(2012)
"The True Measure of Success: The Leadership of Roméo Dallaire in the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda,"
Genocide Studies and Prevention: An International Journal:
Vol. 7:
Iss.
2:
Article 5.
DOI: 10.3138/gsp.7.2/3.184
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/gsp/vol7/iss2/5
