The Rwandan Genocide 1994

Background Information RWANDA GAINED INDEPENDENCE FROM BELGIUM IN RWANDA GAINED INDEPENDENCE FROM BELGIUM IN OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: KINYARWANDA, FRENCH AND ENGLISH. OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: KINYARWANDA, FRENCH AND ENGLISH. CAPITAL CITY: KIGALI CAPITAL CITY: KIGALI ETHNIC COMPOSITION: 90% HUTU, 9% TUTSI AND 1% OTHER. ETHNIC COMPOSITION: 90% HUTU, 9% TUTSI AND 1% OTHER.

Before the Genocide The Belgians used a “ divide and conquer ” strategy in Rwanda, favoring the Tutsi minority and using them to help govern the country. The Belgians used a “ divide and conquer ” strategy in Rwanda, favoring the Tutsi minority and using them to help govern the country. Tutsis were given privileges such as Western style education, which the Hutu Majority was excluded from. Tutsis were given privileges such as Western style education, which the Hutu Majority was excluded from.

Before the Genocide contd. In the 1950 ’ s educated Tutsis began to question colonial rule. In the 1950 ’ s educated Tutsis began to question colonial rule. Belgians retaliated by favouring the Hutu majority instead of the Tutsis. Belgians retaliated by favouring the Hutu majority instead of the Tutsis. In the early 1960 ’ s Belgium organized elections. The Hutus took power. In the early 1960 ’ s Belgium organized elections. The Hutus took power. In 1962 Belgium withdrew from Rwanda. In 1962 Belgium withdrew from Rwanda.

Before the Genocide contd. In the 1980 ’ s Tutsis who had fled Rwanda to neighboring Uganda formed a rebel group, the RPF(Rwandan Patriotic Front). In the 1980 ’ s Tutsis who had fled Rwanda to neighboring Uganda formed a rebel group, the RPF(Rwandan Patriotic Front). The Hutu-led government retaliated by using propaganda to increase hatred of Tutsis. This helped to get them Hutu votes. The Hutu-led government retaliated by using propaganda to increase hatred of Tutsis. This helped to get them Hutu votes.

Before the Genocide contd. In 1990, the RPF invaded Rwanda. The government formed Hutu militias called the “Interahamwe” (“We stand together”) to counter the rebels. In 1990, the RPF invaded Rwanda. The government formed Hutu militias called the “Interahamwe” (“We stand together”) to counter the rebels. Ethnic tensions began to increase. Ethnic tensions began to increase. A cease fire was ordered in A cease fire was ordered in However, on April 6th, 1994, Rwandan President Habyarimana's plane was shot down by an unknown culprit. However, on April 6th, 1994, Rwandan President Habyarimana's plane was shot down by an unknown culprit. Revenge killings against Tutsis began immediately. Organized by Interahamwe. Revenge killings against Tutsis began immediately. Organized by Interahamwe. President Habyarimana

The Genocide After the death of Habyariman, Agathe Uwilingiyimana took power, but was assassinated 14 hours later. Dangerous power vacuum—no government. After the death of Habyariman, Agathe Uwilingiyimana took power, but was assassinated 14 hours later. Dangerous power vacuum—no government. The Hutu extremist radio - RTLM, and also the state supported radio - Radio Rwanda, encouraged the mass murder of the "cockroaches”--Tutsis and Hutu moderates. The Hutu extremist radio - RTLM, and also the state supported radio - Radio Rwanda, encouraged the mass murder of the "cockroaches”--Tutsis and Hutu moderates. Most Victims were killed in their own villages and towns by neighbors usually by being hacked to death by machetes. Most Victims were killed in their own villages and towns by neighbors usually by being hacked to death by machetes. Hutus who refused to get involved in the murders were often murdered themselves. Hutus who refused to get involved in the murders were often murdered themselves. An estimated 800,000 people were murdered in the course of roughly 100 days, most of whom were Tutsis. An estimated 800,000 people were murdered in the course of roughly 100 days, most of whom were Tutsis.

Bullet holes on a school where Hutus murdered hiding Tutsis Bullet holes on a school where Hutus murdered hiding Tutsis

Thousands of murdered Tutsis were left to rot in ditches or in rivers. Thousands of murdered Tutsis were left to rot in ditches or in rivers.

Skulls of those murdered during the Genocide at a memorial at Nayamata Church.

International Involvement UN and international involvement was limited due to little interest. UN and international involvement was limited due to little interest. US president Bill Clinton later apologized for not taking action to stop the genocide. US president Bill Clinton later apologized for not taking action to stop the genocide. International troops were deployed, but mostly just to evacuate foreigners. International troops were deployed, but mostly just to evacuate foreigners.

After the Genocide The Rwandan Patriotic front, the Tutsi rebel group, eventually took power of Rwanda. The Rwandan Patriotic front, the Tutsi rebel group, eventually took power of Rwanda. General Paul Kagame was the leader of the invasion in 1994, and is now the president of Rwanda. In 2003 Kagame became Rwanda’s first elected president since the genocide. General Paul Kagame was the leader of the invasion in 1994, and is now the president of Rwanda. In 2003 Kagame became Rwanda’s first elected president since the genocide.

Write/Pair/Share Write a 3-4 sentence paragraph, then be ready to discuss with your neighbor. Write a 3-4 sentence paragraph, then be ready to discuss with your neighbor. If you were the Tutsi rebel leader back in charge of Rwanda after the genocide, what would you do to: If you were the Tutsi rebel leader back in charge of Rwanda after the genocide, what would you do to: –Ensure justice for the leaders of the genocide? –Reconcile surviving Tutsis with ordinary Hutus, including some of the hundreds of thousands of ordinary Hutus who murdered their Tutsi neighbors?