FOCUS on RwandaFOCUS on Rwanda

Historical Context Historical Context

Pre-colonial periodPre-colonial period

• Tutsis had a higher social status than the Hutu Tutsis had a higher social status than the Hutu because they were more affluentbecause they were more affluent

• Tutsi were cattle herdersTutsi were cattle herders• Hutu were farmersHutu were farmers• Intermarriage was very commonIntermarriage was very common• Peaceful relationship until the arrival of Peaceful relationship until the arrival of

colonistscolonists

ColonialColonial Period Period

• Belgium takes over the German Mandate Belgium takes over the German Mandate

• Gave identification cards to Hutu & Tutsi – created racial identities Gave identification cards to Hutu & Tutsi – created racial identities – even though there were no real differences in race– even though there were no real differences in race

• Gave preferential treatment to the Tutsi (jobs in education, Gave preferential treatment to the Tutsi (jobs in education, business, economy)business, economy)

• Encouraged tribal conflict & rivalry between the two groups – Encouraged tribal conflict & rivalry between the two groups – classic “Divide & Conquer” philosophyclassic “Divide & Conquer” philosophy

• By 1960 the Belgians agreed to have democratic municipal By 1960 the Belgians agreed to have democratic municipal elections; the Hutu, who were the majority, won most of these elections; the Hutu, who were the majority, won most of these

• Belgians agreed in 1961 to abolish the Tutsi monarchy and to Belgians agreed in 1961 to abolish the Tutsi monarchy and to establish a republic in which the Hutu would govern.establish a republic in which the Hutu would govern.

Arusha Accords Arusha Accords July 1992 - August 1993July 1992 - August 1993

• Attempt to end the three year civil war Attempt to end the three year civil war between Hutu and Tutsibetween Hutu and Tutsi• Parties involved - RPF Parties involved - RPF (Rwandan Patriotic Front), (Rwandan Patriotic Front), which which

were mainly Tutsi, and the Rwandan Government, were mainly Tutsi, and the Rwandan Government, mainly Hutu.mainly Hutu.

• Mediated by US, France, Org. of African UnityMediated by US, France, Org. of African Unity• Stripped power from the Hutu president and set up Stripped power from the Hutu president and set up

the Traditional Broad Based Government the Traditional Broad Based Government (TBBG), which would include leaders from the (TBBG), which would include leaders from the RPF as well as other partiesRPF as well as other parties

Aftermath of ArushaAftermath of Arusha

• InterhamweInterhamwe• Local militias formed that were sympathetic to the Hutu Local militias formed that were sympathetic to the Hutu

government – carried out most of the killingsgovernment – carried out most of the killings• Known for their use of machetes Known for their use of machetes

• Romeo Dallarie & UNAMIRRomeo Dallarie & UNAMIR• UN created this mission two days after the signing of the UN created this mission two days after the signing of the

Arusha AccordsArusha Accords• Set up to help carry out the objectives set up in the AccordsSet up to help carry out the objectives set up in the Accords• Canadian Major General, Romeo Dallarie, was put in charge Canadian Major General, Romeo Dallarie, was put in charge

of the mission & given 2,500 troops, of the mission & given 2,500 troops, 400 of which were 400 of which were BelgianBelgian!!

• Aircraft arrives in Kigali with weapons and munitions for Aircraft arrives in Kigali with weapons and munitions for the Rwandan Armed Forcesthe Rwandan Armed Forces

• Because of the UN mandate, Dallarie was unable to seize the cacheBecause of the UN mandate, Dallarie was unable to seize the cache

• Rwandan officials told him that they were ordered before the Rwandan officials told him that they were ordered before the Arusha Accords were signedArusha Accords were signed

• Rwandan military begins checking identification to Rwandan military begins checking identification to determine whether individuals are Hutu or Tutsidetermine whether individuals are Hutu or Tutsi

• Allows the military to accurately identify who they should killAllows the military to accurately identify who they should kill

Early Warning SignsEarly Warning Signs

• Catalyst of the GenocideCatalyst of the Genocide• Hutu President’s plane was shot down; this was blamed on the Hutu President’s plane was shot down; this was blamed on the

Tutsi ‘cockroaches’, which provided the justification for the Tutsi ‘cockroaches’, which provided the justification for the slaughter to beginslaughter to begin

• Radio Télévision Libre de Mille Collines Radio Télévision Libre de Mille Collines • Supported by the government radio station, Radio RwandaSupported by the government radio station, Radio Rwanda

• Spread hate propaganda against the Tutsis & condemned Spread hate propaganda against the Tutsis & condemned UNIMIRUNIMIR

• Broadcasted the code word “cut down the tall trees” following Broadcasted the code word “cut down the tall trees” following the president’s plane being shot down, which prompted the the president’s plane being shot down, which prompted the killings to begin killings to begin

The Beginning of the EndThe Beginning of the End

• Killings took place at five times the rate of the Nazi Killings took place at five times the rate of the Nazi Holocaust. Holocaust.

• First political targets: Prime Minister who was a First political targets: Prime Minister who was a moderate Hutu & 10 moderate Hutu & 10 BelgianBelgian UNAMIR soldiers UNAMIR soldiers

• Belgium quickly pulls their troops as do other nations, Belgium quickly pulls their troops as do other nations, leaving only 270 troops! leaving only 270 troops!

• Dallarie refused to abandon the mission & requested Dallarie refused to abandon the mission & requested 5000 more troops….this request was denied. 5000 more troops….this request was denied.

• After 100 days of killing the RPF was able to take After 100 days of killing the RPF was able to take control of Kigali and restore order to most of the control of Kigali and restore order to most of the country…too little, too late; the damage was done! country…too little, too late; the damage was done!

The Genocide BeginsThe Genocide Begins