Notes on the Rwandan Genocide (April - June 1994)

Overview

• The Rwandan genocide took place over 100 days between April and June 1994.
• Estimated deaths range from 500,000 to over 1 million.
• Noted for its brutality and speed, surpassing even Nazi atrocities.
• Rooted in long-standing ethnic tensions between Hutu and Tutsi populations.

Historical Context

Pre-Colonial Era

• The first settlers: Twa, a group of pygmy hunter-gatherers (8000-3000 BC).
• Arrival of Hutu and Tutsi groups between 700 BC and 1580.
• Early distinctions based on caste lines rather than race.

Kingdom Formation

• By 1700, Rwanda had eight kingdoms, merging into a singular kingdom under Tutsi control by the mid-18th century.
• Clear ethnic divide established: Hutu as the majority and Tutsi as the minority ruling elite.

Colonial Influence

• At the Berlin Conference (1884), Rwanda was placed under German control.
• Germans favored Tutsi for administrative roles due to perceived racial superiority.
• After WWI, Belgium imposed stricter racial segregation, requiring identity cards identifying ethnicity.

Rise of Resentment

• 1950s: Hutu resentment grew leading to the Hutu emancipation movement.
• Key event: Attack on Hutu politician Dominique Mbonyumutwa in 1959, sparking violence.
• Elections in 1960 resulted in a Hutu majority, leading to the deposition of the king and continued violence post-independence in 1962.

Prelude to Genocide

Escalation of Tensions

• By the 1980s-90s, Tutsi exiles formed the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), leading to further conflicts.
• Rise of Hutu Power ideology, promoted through propaganda like the Hutu Ten Commandments.

Triggering Event

• The shooting down of Hutu President Juvénal Habyarimana's plane on April 6, 1994, ignited the genocide.
• Immediate assassinations of moderate Hutus and political leaders ensued.

The Genocide Begins

Initial Chaos

• April 7, 1994: The UN mission in Rwanda faced severe challenges and limitations.
• The genocide began in earnest with systematic killings, checkpoints, and lists of Tutsi targets.

Scale of Violence

• Between 500,000 to 1.1 million people killed, including a significant percentage of the Twa population.
• Brutality included widespread sexual violence, with estimates of 250,000 to 500,000 rapes.

International Response

UN Involvement

• UNAMIR (UN Assistance Mission for Rwanda) deployed but limited to observing and monitoring.
• Notable failures included the inability to intervene during escalating violence.

Foreign Intervention

• France sent troops under the guise of protecting civilians but did not intervene against the genocide.
• Contrast with faster deployments in European conflicts (e.g., Yugoslavia).

Conclusion of the Genocide

• By July 1994, the RPF gained momentum, leading to government collapse and Hutu flight, creating a massive refugee crisis.
• The genocide highlighted the catastrophic failings of international powers and UN in protecting human rights.
• Aftermath included reprisals and violence against Hutus by the new Tutsi-led government.

Key Takeaways

• Rwandan genocide demonstrates the dangers of ethnic manipulation and political power struggles.
• Despite shared history, language, and religion, the conflict escalated due to deep-seated prejudices and external influences.