When the Rwandan genocide broke out in April 1994, US President Howard Baker began planning a military intervention. The goals of the intervention (codenamed Operation Safeguarding) were to end the Rwandan genocide, overthrow the regime of Theoneste Bagosora, and install the Tutsi-led RPF in power in Kigali. Baker attempted to obtain approval from the UN Security Council, but France, Rwanda's main ally, vetoed the resolution. 

After obtaining military access from Uganda, the United States invaded Rwanda on 17 May 1994. During the first two weeks of the invasion, the Americans made great headway and eventually launched a siege of Kigali. The Battle of Kigali proved to be a disaster that turned the tide of the war, as the Rwandan military was backed by France and Zaire, and Rwanda is very demographically dense. 

As such, the United States and RPF were expelled from Kigali by 15 June. After his success, Bagosora formally became the president of Rwanda and began planning an offensive into the north of the country.

On 2 August 1994, Rwanda launched Operation Kayibanda. The offensive was also a failure, because the Rwandan Army was outnumbered and outgunned by the United States and the RPF. A war of attrition followed, during which the US failed to end the genocide and the Hutu regime failed to expel American troops from its territory. 

This stalemate led to an increase in antiwar sentiment in the United States. Alongside party fatigue, this allowed Bill Bradley to win the 1996 election by a comfortable margin. Upon taking office on 20 January 1997, Bradley began withdrawing American forces from Rwanda. The last US military unit left for Uganda on 16 February. 

The Rwandan Civil War continued. America and neighbouring countries continued to support the RPF, while Zaire collapsed into anarchy after Mobutu died. Despite the foreign support the RPF received, the forces of evil triumphed as the rebels were defeated by March 1999. 

By the end of the year, all Tutsi and Twa were gone from Rwanda. Rwanda was sanctioned into oblivion, with its only allies being France, Burundi and allied Congolese factions. 

National Unity | United States invasion of Rwanda (1994–1997)