ALISON DES FORGES (pronounced DAY-FORZSH). She's a professor at the State University of New York at Buffalo, where her specialty concerns the central African countries of Rwanda and Burundi. She's also the Co-Chair of the International Commission on Human Rights Abuse in Rwanda, and a consultant to Human Rights Watch Africa on Rwanda and Burundi. Rwanda has descended into civil strife since April 6th, when the Rwanda and the Burundi presidents were both killed in a plane crash. Rebels, mostly made up of the minority Tutsi tribe, have battled the Rwandan government's troops and army, which are both dominated by the Hutu majority. An estimated 100,000 Rwandans have been killed in tribal massacres and clashes between troops and civilians since the beginning of the month.
Copyright 1994 Fresh Air
