Interview with Major (Ret'd) Sarto Leblanc on the Rwandan Genocide of 1994
Narrator: Leblanc, Sarto, 1958-. Interviewer: Interviewed by Faith Brown. Interview Date and Location 04 March 2024, Victoria BC. Synopsis: Leblanc describes his early life before his enlistment as a Second-Lieutenant with the Canadian Forces. He notes his career path and describes ending his career as a Major. His role in Rwanda was primarily confined to headquarters as a duty officer for the first three months of his deployment. Leblanc described his day-to-day operations and notes his work with other peacekeepers from different countries. The remaining nine months of his deployment were spent as a military observer, documenting mass graves in the wake of the genocide. He mentions his close work with Romeo Dallaire and the impact of Rwanda on his personal life. Additionally, Leblanc describes the effects of PTSD on many of the individuals with whom he worked. The interview concludes with a description of a solo mission across Rwanda to pick up a Canadian soldier sent to do reconnaissance. 0:00 – 2:40 – Growing up in Gaspésia Quebec and brief description of life before enlistment. 2:41 – 5:55 – Overview of military career, including enlistment as a Second-Lieutenant and ending his career as a Major. 5:56 – 12:00 – Deployment to Rwanda in 1994. 12:01 – 15:49 – Role in Operations in Rwanda and first three months in headquarters. 15:50 – 20:26 – Discussion of initial impressions of the situation in Rwanda. 20:27 – 24:05 – Overview of day-to-day in headquarters and description of communications. 24:06 – 28:07 – Brief description of the role of a duty officer in headquarters. 28:08 – 34:45 – Overview of daily reports from officers on the ground witnessing the genocide. 34:46 – 37:47 – Interactions and work with peacekeepers from different countries. 37:48 – 40:37 – Interactions with Romeo Dallaire and description of lack of resources. 40:38 – 55:57 – Role as a military observer after the genocide and documentation of mass graves. 55:58 – 1:01:35 – Personal impact of Rwanda. 1:01:36 – 1:06:21 – Departure from Rwanda and reintegration into Western society. 1:06:22 – 1:16:32 – Transfer to Public Affairs after Rwanda. 1:16:33 – 1:30:50 – Lasting impact of the genocide and PTSD. 1:30:51 – 1:35:55 – Description of solo mission across Rwanda to pick up a Canadian soldier sent to do reconnaissance. 1:35:56 – 1:36:51 – Conclusions. Suggested Clip(s) for Archive: 12:01 – 15:49 – Role in operations in Rwanda and first three months in headquarters. 28:08 – 34:45 – Overview of daily reports from officers on the ground witnessing the genocide. 37:48 – 40:37 – Interactions with Romeo Dallaire and description of lack of resources. 40:38 – 55:57 – Role as a military observer after the genocide and documentation of mass graves. 1:30:51 – 1:35:55 – Description of solo mission across Rwanda to pick up a Canadian soldier sent to do reconnaissance.
- In Collection:
- Interview #SC141_LS_918
- 01:37:14
- The Devil’s Touch: An Examination of the Rwandan Genocide.
- -2, 30
- 1.25, 32.5
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- Accession Number: 2025-002; Series 5; Item: 918
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/military-oral-history-collection
- Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2024. Recorded in digital format by interviewer. Keywords supplied by interviewer. Metadata by KD.
- Rights
- This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
- DOI