The Rwandan Genocide 100 Days of Slaughter April 6, 1994-July 18, 1994 Source: David Simon, The Teaching of Africa, PIER, Yale University , July 11, 2005

Rwandan Genocide Massacre of an estimated 800,000 – 1,071,000 ethnic Tutsis & moderate Hutus carried out by two Hutu extremist groups The killings lasted about 100 days in 1994 The United Nations had little response to the genocide

The Beginning Started with a plane crash (April 6, 1994) 2 Presidents killed Juvenal Habyarimana (Rwanda) Cyprian Ntayamira (Burundi) Neighboring Country

The Beginning Hutu extremists are considered responsible for the crash President of Rwanda was about to sign a Peace Accord The extremists disapproved

In Between Brutality period in between Genocide of the Tutsi population by the radical Hutu population

The End Ended with a rebel victory by Tutsis Rwandan Patriotic Army chase out FAR (Tutsis) Genocide ended with their victory 800,000 people killed

The killings begin The same night of the plane crash The Rwandan Armed Forces (FAR) and Hutu militia begin killing Tutsis Hutu moderates

The killings Begin Roadblocks set up to capture Tutsis and Hutu moderates Machetes are the weapon of choice for killings Why????

The role of the U.N. Fails to intervene Only allowed to “monitor” the situation

The killing of Belgian soldiers 10 Belgian soldiers who work for the United Nations Guarding the Hutu prime minister at his home Hutu radicals kill him and the Belgian soldiers

Defining Genocide The Question of Genocide Definition: One or Two? any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such: (a) Killing members of the group; (b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; (c) Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part; (d) Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group; (e) Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group. One or Two? Elimination of Tutsis was an explicit goal Massacres of Hutus not part of an elimination plan Or Zero?: Are Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups?

Hutu and Tutsi Differences Speak same language Same customs But….. Tutsis had a history of having more power

Causes ‘Ethnic Conflict’ Historical Relations Colonial Germans and Belgians divided the 2 groups in 1916 Rigid boundaries ID cards Belgians gave the Tutsis superiority Why?

Causes ‘Ethnic Conflict’ Tutsi Superiority Better jobs More educational opportunities This leads to resentment by the Hutus…….

Causes ‘Ethnic Conflict’ Hutu Revolt in 1959 Hutu population begins to leave Rwanda for bordering countries

Rwandan independence 1962 Belgians leave Rwanda Hutus still feel hostility towards Tutsis

Economic Tensions Growth in ’70s and ’80s But dependent on: Coffee Aid

Pre-genocide UN Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) Recommended: about 10,000 soldiers (a.s.a.p.) Proposed: 5200 starting 9/93 Actual: no one before 10/93 minimal equipment before 1/94 Maximum force of 2500 (in April 1994)

During the genocide United Nations United States Africa Ten Belgians killed immediately Forces (mostly) withdrawn, 4/20/94 United States Denial Non-cooperation Africa No force to get involved

The Aftermath International Tribune for Rwanda Rwandan courts First recognition of rape as an offense of genocide 60+ indictments Rwandan courts 125,000 detainees 2000 cases handled after 4 years “justice on the grass” Countrywide Informal

Why study Rwanda?? A unique case or all too common? International politics Human interaction

Hotel Rwanda

Hotel Rwanda The movie is based on the true events that took place during the genocidal violence that erupted in Rwanda Between the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups in 1994 The central character is Paul Rusesabagina, a Hutu who managed a four-star in Kigali, the Capital of Rwanda “Paul R.” helped to save 1,268 Tutsi & Hutu refugees

Paul Rusesabagina