Chasing Stars in Hollywood

Question: How long does it take to overthrow the government of a small African country? 

The answer is: One week!

While the world was still reeling from the shock of the most brutal genocide since World War II in Rwanda, and as the UN and global governments scrambled to respond to Simon Westeros' unilateral intervention, the Westeros mercenaries' series of military operations in Rwanda from April 20th to April 26th once again stunned the entire world.

On the morning of April 20th, local time, just one day after arriving in this small African nation, the 3,000 Ukrainian mercenaries mobilized fully. They launched a surprise attack on the Rwandan government forces approximately 20 kilometers outside Kigali, in the hilly region between the capital and Gitarama, before the 10,000 government troops could reach their intended positions.

Underestimating the strength of the Westeros mercenaries, the Rwandan government commander made a grave mistake. Upon learning that the mercenaries were advancing towards them, he chose to remain in place and engage in battle rather than retreating to the capital. This decision led to a disastrous outcome. As the 24 Ukrainian mercenary companies quickly encircled the 10,000 Rwandan troops, the initial round of concentrated firepower from armored vehicles, helicopter rockets, and hundreds of mortars caused immediate chaos and devastation among the government forces.

Africa was indeed very poor. Particularly before the 21st century, the internal conflicts among African warlords primarily involved outdated infantry weapons from the Cold War era. More advanced weapons like tanks and MANPADS were rare, and higher-level equipment like fighter jets or attack helicopters was both unaffordable and beyond the operational capacity of African troops, who often needed foreign military advisors even to train their basic infantry.

Thus, facing the heavy firepower of the Ukrainian mercenaries, the eight tanks that the Rwandan government forces prized were quickly destroyed by the Mi-24 helicopters' anti-tank missiles. The government's limited mortars and rocket launchers were rendered ineffective as their forces collapsed. 

The government forces, having lost over a thousand men to the initial barrage, began to flee towards Kigali within fifteen minutes. To prevent a complete rout in all directions, the Westeros mercenaries maintained a steady pursuit under helicopter and armored vehicle cover, eventually trapping the fleeing soldiers about 10 kilometers from the capital.

Simon's order before the operation was clear: he needed a decisive battle to eliminate as much of the Rwandan military as possible. The implication was obvious: take as few prisoners as possible.

Thus, even as the remaining thousands of Rwandan soldiers were surrounded and on the brink of collapse, the mercenaries continued their assault for half an hour before accepting surrenders. Out of the 10,000 government troops, less than 2,300 remained to surrender after three hours of fighting.

Due to Simon's orders, the Westeros mercenaries also suffered more casualties than expected. Despite their overwhelming advantage, 126 mercenaries were killed, and 379 were wounded. If they had forced the surrender immediately after encirclement, they could have saved many lives on both sides. However, Simon sought to create a blood-soaked deterrent, aimed not only at the Rwandan government but also at the numerous international observers.

The total of 505 casualties, constituting one-sixth of the Ukrainian mercenaries, was significant. 

In 1992, EO commander Adam Lowell, hired by the Angolan government, led a 300-man battalion in operations against the Angolan opposition. Over three months, they forced the 60,000-strong opposition to seek peace, losing only 19 men in his battalion. EO's total casualties during that period were just a few hundred. Despite being composed of elite retired white soldiers from Southern Africa, the EO's combat effectiveness was inferior to the Ukrainian mercenaries, who had over a decade of service in the Soviet Red Army. 

The Rwandan government forces were similarly low-quality, but desperation can make any opponent dangerous. In a 3,000 vs. 10,000 battle, 505 casualties were substantial but manageable.

The mercenaries, undeterred by their losses, handed over the wounded and prisoners to the EO team for logistical support and immediately marched towards Kigali, positioning themselves outside the capital.

Within half a day, one-third of Rwanda's regular army had been decimated. The remaining government forces, although still numbering around 12,000 in Kigali and 10,000 militia, were thrown into disarray. The Rwandan government urgently called for international intervention to stop the 'atrocities' of the Westeros mercenaries and began preparing for battle, even attempting to incite the million residents of Kigali to rise against the invaders.

Both efforts were futile. 

The UN, briefly stunned by the mercenaries' swift actions, could only issue a perfunctory call for restraint. Meanwhile, the Rwandan government's attempts to rouse civilians to fight were ineffective. As the mercenaries had preemptively destroyed Rwanda's radio network, the Westeros refugee camp's powerful radio facilities broadcasted the mercenaries' intentions nationwide. Early on April 20th, before the battle began, six EO helicopters distributed millions of leaflets in multiple languages across Rwanda.

Through these broadcasts and leaflets, the Westeros mercenaries declared a nationwide curfew, urging civilians to stay home and avoid conflict areas. They warned that any civilians seen in public, involved in disturbances, or approaching the mercenaries would be treated as combatants and shot on sight.

To calm the population, the mercenaries also made promises. Firstly, they assured that once the current government was overthrown, there would be no reprisals against the Hutu civilians, except for those involved in the genocide. Secondly, they announced the immediate abolition of the ethnic registration system, with a new, non-ethnic registry to follow. Lastly, they promised that Rwanda would abolish the death penalty post-conflict, implying that even those involved in the unrest would not face execution.

Most ordinary people, seeking to avoid danger, stayed indoors. The news of the 10,000-strong government's defeat spread, making Rwandan civilians more compliant. The government's incitement efforts failed as the mercenaries destroyed makeshift loudspeakers almost as soon as they were set up.

Instead, the mercenaries used loudspeakers outside Kigali to continue broadcasting messages, urging the residents to remain calm. Under this dual pressure of military might and propaganda, most residents stayed home, fearing for their safety.

The Rwandan government's desperate pleas for peace negotiations were ignored. On April 22nd, President Theodore ordered the withdrawal of 8,000 government troops from Byumba in the north to defend Kigali, hoping to make a last stand. 

This move played into the mercenaries' hands. As soon as the troops left Byumba, the Tutsi Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) and the Ugandan army moved in, pursuing the retreating government forces.

The Westeros mercenaries, informed of this development, launched another devastating attack 15 kilometers north of Kigali. The 8,000 government troops, combined with 3,000 RPF and Ugandan soldiers, were routed. 

In the aftermath, the Rwandan government troops were left with fewer than 2,600 men. The combined RPF and Ugandan forces also suffered heavy losses, but the exact numbers were not pursued due to fear of the mercenaries. This battle saw fewer casualties among the mercenaries, with 81 killed and 263 wounded. However, the mercenaries lost two Mi-24 helicopters, with another heavily damaged but crew surviving.

The helicopters were downed not by the government forces but by the French advisors embedded within. Of the 59 French advisors, only 36 survived, and all were secretly taken to the Westeros refugee camp. 

RPF leader Paul Kagame initially protested, hoping to use the captured advisors as evidence of French interference, but the mercenaries' dominance silenced any opposition.

After this battle, the remaining 2,100 mercenaries, along with 22,000 RPF and Ugandan troops, surrounded Kigali. On April 23rd, they began their assault on the city. After four days of intense urban combat, on April 26th, they captured the presidential palace, killing interim President Theodore and several officials. The Hutu regime that had ruled Rwanda for 20 years was overthrown.

To avoid accusations of civilian casualties, the mercenaries provided limited air support during the final assault and withdrew to the Westeros refugee camp after the battle ended on April 26th.

In an emergency meeting, newly appointed RPF leader Paul Kagame and the mercenaries issued the "Rwandan Peace Declaration," promising to fulfill all previous commitments made via broadcasts and leaflets. 

The new government also agreed to allocate 2,000 acres near the refugee camp for a permanent mercenary base. The mercenaries would remain in Rwanda to help eliminate remaining Hutu forces until the country's stability was ensured.

Under the mercenaries' guidance, Kagame also relinquished his claim to the presidency to alleviate Hutu fears of reprisals. Instead, a Hutu RPF leader, Pasteur Bizimungu, was appointed president, with Kagame serving as vice president and defense minister.

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