- Summary
- As deputy to the U.S. ambassador in Rwanda, Joyce E. Leader witnessed the tumultuous prelude to genocide - a period of political wrangling, human rights abuses, and many levels of ominous, ever-escalating violence. From Hope to Horror offers her insider's account of the nation's efforts to move toward democracy and peace and analyzes the challenges of conducting diplomacy in settings prone to - or engaged in - armed conflict. Leader traces the three-way struggle for control among Rwanda's ethnic and regional factions. Each sought to shape democratization and peacemaking to its own advantage. The United States, hoping to encourage a peaceful transition, midwifed negotiations toward an accord. The result: a revolutionary blueprint for political and military power-sharing among Rwanda's competing factions that met categorical rejection by the "losers" and a downward spiral into mass atrocities. Drawing on the Rwandan experience, Leader proposes ways diplomacy can more effectively avert the escalation of violence by identifying the unintended consequences of policies and emphasizing conflict prevention over crisis response. Compelling and expert, From Hope to Horror fills in the forgotten history of the diplomats who tried but failed to prevent a human rights catastrophe. -- Provided by publisher.
"Former ambassador Joyce Leader was DCM in Kigali from 1991 until the genocide erupted in 1994 and is a recognized authority on the failed diplomatic efforts to avert the tragedy"-- Provided by publisher.
- Series
- ADST-DACOR diplomats and diplomacy series
ADST-DACOR diplomats and diplomacy series.
- Format
- Book
- Author/Creator
- Leader, Joyce E., author.
- Published
- [Lincoln, Nebraska] : Potomac Books, an imprint of the University of Nebraska Press, [2020]
- Locale
- Rwanda
- Contents
-
Part 1. Rwanda's Struggle for Democracy and Peace, 1991-1994
Political Liberalization Takes Off
War Intrudes
Rights Abuses and Violence Sow Fear
Opposition Parties Join a Coalition Government
Peace Talks Begin and Cease-Fire Takes Hold
Democratization Flounders
Turning Point: Adversaries in Kigali and Arusha Tackle Power Sharing
Violence Stalks Democratization and Prospects for Peace
The January from Hell: Diplomacy at a Crossroads
Diplomats Undertake a Fact-Finding Mission
War Resumes
A Second Chance for Peace
Assignment-Arusha Observer: The Setting
Assignment-Arusha Observer: The Negotiations
The Dénouement: Arusha Peace Accords Signed
Preparing to Implement the Arusha Accords
Violence Plagues Implementation
Implementation Stalls
The Exodus
Return to Rwanda
Part 2. Why Diplomacy Failed to Prevent Mass Atrocities and Genocide
Diplomatic Challenges We Failed to Anticipate
Making Conflict Prevention a Foreign Policy and Diplomatic Priority
Fixes for the Future from Failures of the Past
Conclusion: Changing the Paradigm
- Notes
-
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Part 1. Rwanda's Struggle for Democracy and Peace, 1991-1994 -- Political Liberalization Takes Off -- War Intrudes -- Rights Abuses and Violence Sow Fear -- Opposition Parties Join a Coalition Government -- Peace Talks Begin and Cease-Fire Takes Hold -- Democratization Flounders -- Turning Point: Adversaries in Kigali and Arusha Tackle Power Sharing -- Violence Stalks Democratization and Prospects for Peace -- The January from Hell: Diplomacy at a Crossroads -- Diplomats Undertake a Fact-Finding Mission -- War Resumes -- A Second Chance for Peace -- Assignment-Arusha Observer: The Setting -- Assignment-Arusha Observer: The Negotiations -- The Dénouement: Arusha Peace Accords Signed -- Preparing to Implement the Arusha Accords -- Violence Plagues Implementation -- Implementation Stalls -- The Exodus -- Return to Rwanda -- Part 2. Why Diplomacy Failed to Prevent Mass Atrocities and Genocide -- Diplomatic Challenges We Failed to Anticipate -- Making Conflict Prevention a Foreign Policy and Diplomatic Priority -- Fixes for the Future from Failures of the Past -- Conclusion: Changing the Paradigm
