Rwandas Genocide

1
Rwandas Genocide

• 100 Days of Slaughter

2
Rwandas Geography

• Located in east central Africa
• Moderate climate with 2 rainy seasons
• Hilly and mountainous
• Highest population density in Africa

3
Rwandas People

• Comprised of two main groups, the majority Hutus
  (85) and minority Tutsis (15)
  
• Very similar groups same language, live in same
  areas, follow similar traditions
  
• Poor nation, most are subsistence farmers
• The country receives substantial international aid

4
Rwandas History

• Rwanda was a Belgian colony from 1916 to 1962
• Tension between Hutus and Tutsis has always
  existed, but has grown substantially since
  colonial period
  
• The Belgian colonists viewed the Tutsis as
  superior to Hutus, and offered them better jobs
  and educational opportunities
  
• The Tutsis welcomed this idea

5
Events Leading to 1994 Genocide

• In 1959, Hutus overthrew the ruling Tutsi king
• Thousands of Tutsis were killed and many fled to
  neighboring countries
  
• When the Belgians left, Hutus took their place
  and blamed the Tutsis for every crisis in Rwanda
  
• The children of the exiles formed the Rwandan
  Patriotic Force (RPF) and began a civil war in
  1990

6
April - June 1994

• The civil war culminated in the spring of 1994
  when 800,000 Rwandans were killed
  
• The plane of Rwandas incumbent president
  (Habyarimana, a Hutu) was shot down in April
  
• The presidential guard, military officers,
  politicans ordered an immediate retribution on
  Tutsis and moderate Hutus
  
• Soldiers and police officers encourages ordinary
  citizens to take part in the killings

7
April June 1994, Continued

• Hutus who participated in the killings were
  promised land of the Tutsis they killed, money
  and/or food
  
• UN troops withdrew from Rwanda after 10 of their
  soldiers were killed
  
• In July, the RPF captured the capital of Kigali
  the government collapsed and a ceasefire was
  declared
  
• Many Hutus then fled to D.R. of Congo, and UN
  troops and aid workers returned

8
Photos from Rwanda
This Tutsi man survived a machete attack.
9
Rwanda Today

• Various groups continue fighting today, often
  crossing boundaries in Uganda, Burundi and D.R.
  Congo
  
• Many refugees live in these countries
• Continues to struggle to boost economy and
  provide enough food for its people