RwandaRwanda

Statistics about RwandaStatistics about Rwanda

Approximate size of MarylandApproximate size of Maryland Religion: Christian 93.5%Religion: Christian 93.5% Life expectancy: 47 yearsLife expectancy: 47 years Most densely populated African nation = Most densely populated African nation =

345 people per .39 square miles345 people per .39 square miles

Rwanda’s Ethnic GroupsRwanda’s Ethnic Groups

Pygmies (1%) originally in the areaPygmies (1%) originally in the area Hutus (84%) = established farmersHutus (84%) = established farmers Tutsi (15%) = cattle breeders arrived Tutsi (15%) = cattle breeders arrived

and established a monarchyand established a monarchy– made the Hutus serfs [attached to land= made the Hutus serfs [attached to land=

forced laborers]forced laborers]

European ImperialismEuropean Imperialism

1916: Belgians1916: Belgians Identity cards Identity cards

issuedissued Belgians “rule” Belgians “rule”

through Tutsithrough Tutsi TallerTaller Lighter-skinnedLighter-skinned ““thinner noses”thinner noses”

Ethnic StrifeEthnic Strife

Hutus push for power equal to their Hutus push for power equal to their numbersnumbers

Independence - 1962Independence - 1962

Kayibanda elected Kayibanda elected president (Hutu)president (Hutu)

1973 – Military 1973 – Military coup – Gen. coup – Gen. Habyarimana Habyarimana (Hutu)(Hutu)

Hutus seek control of TutsiHutus seek control of Tutsi

Interahamwe: Hutu civilian militia•armed and supported by Hutu army•Weapon of choice = machete

Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF):•Tutsi rebels•Form in Uganda•Cross-border invasion 1990

Assassination? Assassination? Civil WarCivil War

1994: President Habyarimana’s plane is shot down, Hutus blame Tutsi “cockroaches”

Start of MassacreStart of Massacre

Rwandan National Radio:“Cut the tall trees”

Targets:•Tutsi•Moderate Hutu

800,000 dead in 100 days from April to June

GenocideGenocide– Deliberate and systematic destruction of an entire Deliberate and systematic destruction of an entire

people who belong to one racial, ethnic or political people who belong to one racial, ethnic or political group.group.

Hotel des Mille CollinesHotel des Mille Collines

Paul Rusesabagina = “Moderate” Hutu

International InterventionInternational Intervention

Peacekeepers Peacekeepers – sentsent– attacked by militiaattacked by militia– withdrawnwithdrawn

Token force of 270 left Token force of 270 left behindbehind

Other countries?•Evacuate their citizens•No intervention / aid for Rwandans

Collapse of the Hutu Collapse of the Hutu GovernmentGovernment

RPF attacks from Uganda againRPF attacks from Uganda again– Hutu army, interahamwe defeatedHutu army, interahamwe defeated

Ends the GenocideEnds the Genocide

Post-Genocide GovernmentPost-Genocide Government

•Paul Kagame = Former RPF Commander = President

Tutsi president = Tutsi president = Hutus flee to D.R.C.Hutus flee to D.R.C.

Attempts at Multi-Attempts at Multi-ethnic ethnic ‘coalition’ ‘coalition’ governmentgovernment

Kagame re-elected Kagame re-elected 20102010