How many people did Mbaye Diagne save?
Babacar Faye, a Senegalese soldier who served in UNAMIR, asserted that Diagne saved at least 400 or 500 people. The United States Department of State estimated that he protected as many as 600 people.
What happened to Captain Mbaye?
On 31 May 1994, as Rwanda was descending into chaos, Captain Mbaye Diagne, a military observer at the United Nations Assistance Mission in the country (UNAMIR), was in the capital, Kigali, driving back to the base when a mortar fell near his vehicle. Just 12 days from finishing up his service, he died instantly.
Why did Carl Wilkens stay in Rwanda?
Beginning of the genocide As the Rwandan genocide began, he sent them with a U.S. convoy to Burundi (U.S. officials were afraid to use Kigali’s airport, so they evacuated their citizens by cars) and stayed in his home in Kigali. Wilkens knew that he could not leave his friends, many of whom were Tutsis.
What did the Red Cross do in Rwanda?
One of the crucial roles the Red Cross assisted with was tracing children left on their own amid the crisis. Over 47,000 Rwandan youth were reunited with their families.
Which European country gave up possession of Rwanda following WWII?
Ruanda-Urundi becomes UN trust territory governed by Belgium. After World War II, Ruanda-Urundi became a UN trust territory governed by Belgium until 1962, when it became the independent states of Rwanda and Burundi. Learn more.
Who is Mbaye Diagne?
Mbaye Diagne (18 March 1958 – 31 May 1994) was a Senegalese military officer who served in Rwanda as a United Nations military observer from 1993 to 1994. During the Rwandan genocide he undertook many missions on his own initiative to save the lives of civilians. Diagne was born in Senegal.
What awards did Captain Mbaye Diagne receive?
The Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Courage ribbon bar. On 1 June 2005 Diagne was posthumously awarded the rank of Knight in Senegal’s National Order of the Lion. On 4 July 2010 President of Rwanda Paul Kagame accorded Diagne with the Umurinzi honour—Rwanda’s Campaign Against Genocide Medal.
What did Mbaye Diagne do in Rwanda?
Mbaye Diagne (18 March 1958 – 31 May 1994) was a Senegalese military officer and a United Nations military observer during the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. He is credited with saving many lives during his time in Rwanda through nearly continuous rescue missions at great peril to himself.
Who is Jean-Paul Diagne?
On 4 July 2010 President of Rwanda Paul Kagame accorded Diagne with the Umurinzi honour—Rwanda’s Campaign Against Genocide Medal. The following year the United States Department of State accorded him a Tribute To Persons Of Courage certificate.