Ethnic tensions in Rwanda began shortly after colonization by the Belgians in 1916. Upon their arrival, the Belgians elevated the Tutsi tribe, who make up about 15% of the population, to a position of superiority in employment, educational opportunities, and social status. In reality, the Tutsi and Hutu tribes are remarkably similar; they occupy the same lands, work together, and share every aspect of daily life with one another. As a means of further control, the Belgians produced tribal identity cards, and continued to discriminate against the Hutu majority through their Tutsi favoritism. Hutu resentment finally came to a head in 1959 when a series of riots killed over 20,000 Tutsis. After the riots, Tutsis began slowly fleeing Rwanda into neighboring countries for safety. In 1962, when Belgium ceded independence to Rwanda, the Hutus took over all positions of stature and power and began a steady campaign of blame and hatred against the Tutsis.
Although the Hutus were in power, conflict and tension between the two tribes continued to rise steadily. In Uganda, a small rebel movement led by Tutsi refugees culminated in the creation of the RPF, or Rwandan Patriotic Front, determined to restore a strong Tutsi presence within their homeland. In 1993, the RPF and the Rwandan government, led by Juvenal Habyarimana, signed a peace accord calling for an end to the violence, but it did little to ease the deep tension throughout the country.
The genocide began when President Habyarimana’s plane was shot down over the Kigali airport on April 6th, 1994. Government leaders immediately placed blame on the Tutsi-led RPF and its leader, Paul Kagame, for the incident. They began an unprecedented campaign of brutal violence across the country, targeting all Tutsis and moderate Hutus who would not join in the massacres. Within hours, there were roadblocks on all major roads around Kigali and Tutsis were being hunted down and executed. Using radio propaganda, the Presidential Guard, and a makeshift militia called the Interhamwe, “Hutu Power” took control of the country and thousands were killed each day. Ordinary Hutu citizens were persuaded to join in the killing spree, either by military order, promised incentives such as land, protection, and employment, or the threat of death.
As millions of Tutsis sought sanctuary in churches, schools, and stadiums, Hutu mobs followed closely behind and massacred thousands upon thousands of civilians. Mobs were encouraged to use farm implements, grenades, and any home made weapons in order to exterminate the “Tutsi cockroaches.”
The international community, in the face of reports citing impending violence, largely turned its back to the genocide occurring throughout the country. Governments, including those of the US and UK, played ignorant to the situation amidst detailed and desperate news from correspondents in Rwanda. The UN extradited all foreign citizens and then pulled out of Rwanda after the death of 10 Belgian soldiers. Remaining forces were incapable of offering any real help, as orders did not allow them to get involved in the surrounding conflict.
After 100 days of genocide, over 1 million Tutsis and numerous Hutus were dead and their bodies littered the country. The RPF seized control of Kigali, and 2 million Hutus fled the country into neighboring Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) as aid workers from around the world began pouring into Rwanda to survey the gruesome aftermath and restore what they could.
Although the genocide ended 12 years ago, the legacy of the genocide and the subsequent mistrust are still felt throughout the country. Residents and survivors often refer to their lives in terms of “before” and “after,” marking their lives by the genocide. Rwanda remains plagued by the memory of its past, but hopeful and determined to secure a new future.
With Paul Kagame elected as current President, positive changes have begun to take place throughout Rwanda. The government has largely focused attention and funds towards reconciliation efforts, while international aid funds have flowed back into the country. An International Criminal Tribunal was set up in Arusha, Tanzania to try the most infamous of genocidaires. The Rwandan government has referred to the tribunal as slow and inefficient, and thus has implemented local measures to try the thousands of genocide criminals currently incarcerated in Rwanda. Local communities have begun using Gacaca courts, which allow all residents and community members to tell their stories regarding the accused and sentence them based on confession, level of participation, and repentance for their crimes.
Trials continue in Tanzania and in communities, while the government works to extradite other genocide criminals who fled the country after the RPF took control in the months following the genocide. Although the effects are widespread and people continue to suffer from extreme poverty and lack of basic services throughout Rwanda, there is a deep sense of hope, healing, and reconciliation across all ages, tribes, and genders. Because the world turned its back on Rwanda during their greatest time of need, the country is determined to lift itself up and carve a new future amidst a haunting history.
Posted 08/22/07 by
Robin Weekley
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Violence
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