Rwandan Rwandan GenocideGenocide

By: Olga LaraBy: Olga Lara

Sandy SamSandy Sam

Anna Anna SahakyanSahakyan

Rwandan FlagRwandan Flag

The New Flag of Rwanda was effective since The New Flag of Rwanda was effective since January of 2002. Unlike the old flag, it lacks the January of 2002. Unlike the old flag, it lacks the colors red and black which represented the blood colors red and black which represented the blood split and the mourning of the Rwandan people. split and the mourning of the Rwandan people. This new flag contains more hope and optimism This new flag contains more hope and optimism and symbolizes the strength of the Rwandan and symbolizes the strength of the Rwandan people who, after the bloody genocide which took people who, after the bloody genocide which took more than 800,000 lives, are able to be strong and more than 800,000 lives, are able to be strong and united and see the sun shining with its golden rays. united and see the sun shining with its golden rays.

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Old flag

New Flag

PoliticiansPoliticians President Juvenal President Juvenal

HabyarimanaHabyarimanaPresident Habyarimara, a Hutu, President Habyarimara, a Hutu, widened the divisions among Hutus widened the divisions among Hutus and Tutsi by attacks and propaganda.and Tutsi by attacks and propaganda.

On April 6, 1994, the plane crrying On April 6, 1994, the plane crrying president Habyarimana was shot president Habyarimana was shot down in Kigali. The very next day, down in Kigali. The very next day, after the president’s death, the after the president’s death, the Rwandan Genocide began. Rwandan Genocide began.

Colonel Théoneste BagosoraColonel Théoneste Bagosora

After the president’s After the president’s death, colonel Bagosora death, colonel Bagosora took charge of the took charge of the Presidential Guard and Presidential Guard and other troops and other troops and murdered Hutu murdered Hutu government officials of the government officials of the political opposition. Also, political opposition. Also, they began systematically they began systematically slaughtering the Tutsi.slaughtering the Tutsi.

Ferdinand NahimanaFerdinand Nahimana

Founder and the director of the hate radio Founder and the director of the hate radio Télévision Libre des Mille Collines Télévision Libre des Mille Collines (RTLM). Ferdinand used this hate radio in (RTLM). Ferdinand used this hate radio in order to spread hared, as well as organize order to spread hared, as well as organize the genocide of the Tutsi by the Hutu the genocide of the Tutsi by the Hutu people. He referred to Tutsis as people. He referred to Tutsis as cockroaches and, although his hatred of cockroaches and, although his hatred of the Tutsi was quiet obvious in his the Tutsi was quiet obvious in his speeches, he sometimes used phrases speeches, he sometimes used phrases that had hidden meanings. Such one that had hidden meanings. Such one phrase was “cut the tall trees”, which was phrase was “cut the tall trees”, which was a sign for the Hutus to start the slaughter a sign for the Hutus to start the slaughter of the Tutsi.of the Tutsi.

Jerry Robert KajugaJerry Robert Kajuga Picture Not AvailablePicture Not Available

Jerry Robert Kajuga was the President Jerry Robert Kajuga was the President of the Interahamwe militia, which was of the Interahamwe militia, which was responsible for committing the responsible for committing the Rwanda Genocide. Ironically, Jerry Rwanda Genocide. Ironically, Jerry Robert Kajuga, and his family, was Robert Kajuga, and his family, was Tutsi, but they pretended to be Hutu. Tutsi, but they pretended to be Hutu. In order to avoid any kind of suspicion In order to avoid any kind of suspicion about their family being Tutsi, Robert about their family being Tutsi, Robert Kajuga kept his brother hidden at the Kajuga kept his brother hidden at the Hotel des Mille Collines in Kigali. Hotel des Mille Collines in Kigali.

Roméo Alain DallaireRoméo Alain Dallaire Romeo Alain Dallaire, a Romeo Alain Dallaire, a

Canadian General who was in Canadian General who was in Rwanda during the Rwandan Rwanda during the Rwandan genocide as general of the UN genocide as general of the UN peacekeeping group, tried to peacekeeping group, tried to help the Tutsi and the Hutu who help the Tutsi and the Hutu who were being slaughtered, but did were being slaughtered, but did not receive any help from the not receive any help from the UN. Later in his life he suffered UN. Later in his life he suffered post traumatic stress syndrome. post traumatic stress syndrome. The fact that his alarm was The fact that his alarm was ignored and that the United ignored and that the United Nations failed to prevent the Nations failed to prevent the killing of the 800,000 innocent killing of the 800,000 innocent people haunts General Dallaire people haunts General Dallaire to this day. He was told that he to this day. He was told that he was a peacekeeper, not a was a peacekeeper, not a peacemaker, which was the UN’s peacemaker, which was the UN’s way for justifying their way for justifying their neutrality. neutrality.

Prudence BushnellPrudence Bushnell

Prudence Bushnell, United Prudence Bushnell, United States Associate Secretary of States Associate Secretary of State for African Affairs, was State for African Affairs, was shocked by the news she was shocked by the news she was getting from Rwanda. At a State getting from Rwanda. At a State Department press conference Department press conference on April 8, she spoke about the on April 8, she spoke about the violence in Rwanda, however, at violence in Rwanda, however, at that time Bushnell, and all the that time Bushnell, and all the Americans, did not call it a Americans, did not call it a genocide, only “violence” or a genocide, only “violence” or a “civil war”. “civil war”.

Newspaper HeadlinesNewspaper HeadlinesKangura NewspaperKangura Newspaper

October, 1993 (n. 51, p. 14)October, 1993 (n. 51, p. 14)The man in the The man in the

uniform is Paul Kagame, uniform is Paul Kagame, who was the leader of the who was the leader of the Rwandan Patriotic Front Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF). The man in the left is (RPF). The man in the left is supposed to be the President supposed to be the President Juvenal Habyarimana. The Juvenal Habyarimana. The sentence on the left says, sentence on the left says, "They say that Kagame "They say that Kagame would refuse to shake the would refuse to shake the hand of a Hutu." Kagame hand of a Hutu." Kagame says, "Let it be known that I says, "Let it be known that I cannot shake a Hutus hand." cannot shake a Hutus hand." The sign "Kinihira" signifies The sign "Kinihira" signifies a neutral "buffer zone" in a neutral "buffer zone" in Rwanda, which was settled Rwanda, which was settled between the RPF and between the RPF and Habyarimana at the Arusha Habyarimana at the Arusha Peace Accords in the Peace Accords in the summer of 1993. summer of 1993.

New York TimesNew York Times

U.N. in Rwanda Says It U.N. in Rwanda Says It Is Powerless to Halt the Is Powerless to Halt the

ViolenceViolence

April 15, 1994, FridayApril 15, 1994, FridayBy DONATELLA LORCH, (Special to The New York Times); By DONATELLA LORCH, (Special to The New York Times); Foreign DeskForeign Desk

http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F40815FB355A0C768DDDAD0894DC494D81res=F40815FB355A0C768DDDAD0894DC494D81

New York TimesNew York Times

U.N. Commission Recommends U.N. Commission Recommends Rwanda 'Genocide' TribunalRwanda 'Genocide' Tribunal

September 29, 1994, ThursdaySeptember 29, 1994, ThursdayBy RAYMOND BONNER, (Special to The New By RAYMOND BONNER, (Special to The New York Times); Foreign DeskYork Times); Foreign Desk

http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F40F10F63A5E0C7A8EDDA00894DC494Dres=F40F10F63A5E0C7A8EDDA00894DC494D8181

Los Angeles TimesLos Angeles TimesBloodshed Continues in Bloodshed Continues in

RwandaRwandaApril 16, 1994April 16, 1994

U.N. Airlifts Aid Supplies to U.N. Airlifts Aid Supplies to Terrorized RwandansTerrorized RwandansApril 17, 1994April 17, 1994

Quotes From SurvivorsQuotes From Survivors

““When I came out, there were no When I came out, there were no birds… there was sunshine and the birds… there was sunshine and the stench of death”.stench of death”.

““I couldn’t believe that the I couldn’t believe that the international communities would sit international communities would sit and watch us being slaughtered”. and watch us being slaughtered”.

*Both of these persons survived by *Both of these persons survived by hiding under dead bodies. hiding under dead bodies.

Qutoes from General Qutoes from General Romeo Dallaire Romeo Dallaire

"The genocide was "The genocide was brutal, criminal brutal, criminal and disgusting and and disgusting and continued for 100 continued for 100 days under the days under the eyes of the eyes of the international international community." community."

"I don't think "I don't think there's any there's any justification for justification for what happened, it what happened, it was a shameful was a shameful episode for episode for collective shame." collective shame."

Map of RwandaMap of Rwanda

Geographic Map of Geographic Map of RwandaRwanda

Rwandan FoodRwandan FoodRwandan food is mainly Rwandan food is mainly simple food made of the simple food made of the locally grown vegetations locally grown vegetations such as sweet potatoes, such as sweet potatoes, beans, corn, peas, millet beans, corn, peas, millet and fruit. Rwandans are and fruit. Rwandans are famous for adding lots of famous for adding lots of sugar and milk to their sugar and milk to their tea, and tea is mostly tea, and tea is mostly common in urban areas, common in urban areas, such as Kigali, for such as Kigali, for breakfast. Rwandans breakfast. Rwandans living rural areas don’t living rural areas don’t eat meet frequently eat meet frequently because their cattle is because their cattle is

their fortune.their fortune.

Tropical fruits such as Tropical fruits such as avocados, bananas, mangos avocados, bananas, mangos and papaya are abundant in and papaya are abundant in Rwanda. Rwanda.

Rwandans brew their own Rwandans brew their own alcohol, although men are the alcohol, although men are the only ones who drink alcoholic only ones who drink alcoholic beverages. beverages.

Languages SpokenLanguages Spoken

Kinyarwanda (native language Kinyarwanda (native language spoken by most Rwandans)spoken by most Rwandans)

French French EnglishEnglish

Rwandan Writing

Reporters and Reporters and Photjournalsts Photjournalsts Covering The Covering The

Rwandan GenocideRwandan GenocideFergal Fergal KeaneKeane Fergal Keane, an Irish Fergal Keane, an Irish

reporter and a writer reporter and a writer who was the BBC who was the BBC special special correspondent in correspondent in Africa in the early Africa in the early 1990s, reported on 1990s, reported on the Genocide in the Genocide in Rwanda. Rwanda.

Philip GourevitchPhilip Gourevitch Philip Gourevitch, and Philip Gourevitch, and

American author and American author and journalist, is the author of journalist, is the author of the book the book We Wish to We Wish to Inform You That tomorrow Inform You That tomorrow We Will Be Killed With our We Will Be Killed With our Families, Families, which is about which is about the Rwandan Genocide. the Rwandan Genocide. The movie Hotel Rwanda is The movie Hotel Rwanda is loosely based on this book. loosely based on this book. Starting from 1995, Starting from 1995, Gourevitch took frequent Gourevitch took frequent trips to Rwanda in order to trips to Rwanda in order to write about the Genocide’s write about the Genocide’s affects and inform the affects and inform the world about the atrocities world about the atrocities that had taken place. that had taken place.

Corinne DufkaCorinne Dufka

Photos Photos by by Corinne Corinne DufkaDufkaA photojournalist and a

humanitarian, who for years has been working in Africa, mostly covering war zones.In 1994, when the Rwandan Genocide took place, she was one of the few photojournalists who went to Rwanda to report on Rwandan Genocide.

"People talked about the situation being confusing,

anarchy, and Rwanda being a failed state.

Rwanda was anything but a failed state

because the killing was so well

choreographed and highly organized“,

wrote Corinne Dufka

The Role of the U.N.The Role of the U.N.

The role of the U.N. in the Rwanda genocide The role of the U.N. in the Rwanda genocide was very neutral. Before and during the was very neutral. Before and during the genocide, the United Nations only had 2,500 genocide, the United Nations only had 2,500 peacekeeping troops in Rwanda. A person peacekeeping troops in Rwanda. A person named Masozera said, “ U.N. soldiers were named Masozera said, “ U.N. soldiers were here and left when the killings were here and left when the killings were happening,” the U.N troops really didn’t do happening,” the U.N troops really didn’t do anything to prevent the genocide from anything to prevent the genocide from occurring or even stop afterwards. They were occurring or even stop afterwards. They were peacekeeper not peacemakers and their lack peacekeeper not peacemakers and their lack of action caused the death of many innocent of action caused the death of many innocent Tutsis and Hutus. Tutsis and Hutus.

The Members of the U.N. The Members of the U.N. That Had a Direct That Had a Direct Role/ConnectionRole/Connection

Roméo Alain Roméo Alain DallaireDallaire

Kofi Annan Kofi Annan

Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Lieutenant-General, Force commander of UNAMIR

(United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda)

The International The International ResponseResponse

All the nations collectively failed to do All the nations collectively failed to do anything about the Rwandan Genocide and anything about the Rwandan Genocide and remained silent while innocent Rwandans remained silent while innocent Rwandans were being slaughtered. The Unites States were being slaughtered. The Unites States did not even refer to it as a Genocide, but did not even refer to it as a Genocide, but rather as “genocidal acts” or “killings”. Lack rather as “genocidal acts” or “killings”. Lack of political agreement, motivation, interest of political agreement, motivation, interest and economic profit in Rwanda were and economic profit in Rwanda were responsible for the international responsible for the international communities failure. As Romeo Dallaire said, communities failure. As Romeo Dallaire said, Rwanda was a mission of “a lost priority” for Rwanda was a mission of “a lost priority” for the international community. the international community.

SummarySummary

““The   Rwanda genocide was a massacre of an The   Rwanda genocide was a massacre of an estimated 800,000 to 1,071,000 ethnic Tutsi and estimated 800,000 to 1,071,000 ethnic Tutsi and Hutus in Rwanda. The two ethnic groups are very Hutus in Rwanda. The two ethnic groups are very similar because they speak the same language, similar because they speak the same language, inhabit the same areas and follow the same inhabit the same areas and follow the same traditions. But when Belgians colonist arrived in traditions. But when Belgians colonist arrived in 1916, they saw the two groups as distinct entitles. 1916, they saw the two groups as distinct entitles. The Tutsi were considered more superior than the The Tutsi were considered more superior than the Hutus, they had better jobs and greater Hutus, they had better jobs and greater educational opportunities. Once the Belgians gave educational opportunities. Once the Belgians gave Rwanda its independence the Hutus seized power Rwanda its independence the Hutus seized power and started committing acts of crime and violence and started committing acts of crime and violence against the Tutsi. The genocide started with the against the Tutsi. The genocide started with the death of the Rwanda president Juvenal death of the Rwanda president Juvenal Habyarimana was killed when his plane was shot Habyarimana was killed when his plane was shot down above Kigali airport on April 6, 1994….down above Kigali airport on April 6, 1994….

……Throughout the massacre, both the U.N and the U.S Throughout the massacre, both the U.N and the U.S had soldiers to establish control within the city, seeing had soldiers to establish control within the city, seeing the situation kept getting worst they decided to abandon the situation kept getting worst they decided to abandon Rwanda and remove its troops only leaving two-hundred. Rwanda and remove its troops only leaving two-hundred. The Hutu, now without opposition from the world The Hutu, now without opposition from the world community, engaged in genocidal mania killing Tutsi community, engaged in genocidal mania killing Tutsi families with machetes. The Rwandan state radio, families with machetes. The Rwandan state radio, controlled by Hutu extremists, further encouraged the controlled by Hutu extremists, further encouraged the killings by broadcasting non-stop hate propaganda and killings by broadcasting non-stop hate propaganda and even pinpointed the locations of Tutsis in hiding. Hutus even pinpointed the locations of Tutsis in hiding. Hutus who opposed the Hutu Power ideology were publicly who opposed the Hutu Power ideology were publicly dneounced as “accomplices” of the Tutsi and were dneounced as “accomplices” of the Tutsi and were among the first ones to be killed.among the first ones to be killed. Finally, in July, the RPF Finally, in July, the RPF captured Kigali. The government collapsed and the RPF captured Kigali. The government collapsed and the RPF declared a ceasefire. In exactly 100 days the genocide declared a ceasefire. In exactly 100 days the genocide was over and a new multi-ethnic government was was over and a new multi-ethnic government was formed promising all refugees from Rwanda a safe formed promising all refugees from Rwanda a safe return”.return”.

Historical Emblem Historical Emblem Symbolizing the Rwandan Symbolizing the Rwandan

GenocideGenocideThe golden sun represents the sun The golden sun represents the sun found on the new Rwandan flag. found on the new Rwandan flag. However, the tips of the rays are However, the tips of the rays are red, symbolizing the blood shed red, symbolizing the blood shed during the Rwandan genocide. during the Rwandan genocide. Moreover, the center of the sun is Moreover, the center of the sun is red as well for the same reason red as well for the same reason mentioned above because the mentioned above because the scars of the genocide remain deep scars of the genocide remain deep down in every Rwandan’s heart. down in every Rwandan’s heart. The pin in the middle, which has The pin in the middle, which has been created in honor of Rwandan been created in honor of Rwandan people and in order to support people and in order to support them, bears the colors of hope them, bears the colors of hope (blue sky and peaceful green). In (blue sky and peaceful green). In the middle of the pin the gold the middle of the pin the gold zigzag pattern signifies the wings zigzag pattern signifies the wings of a popular Rwandan bird known of a popular Rwandan bird known as agasake. as agasake.

Works Cited Works Cited "Country Profile: Rwanda." BBC News. 12 Oct. 2006. 02 Nov. 2006 "Country Profile: Rwanda." BBC News. 12 Oct. 2006. 02 Nov. 2006

<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1070265.stm#lead<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1070265.stm#leaders>.ers>.

"Eating the Rwandan Way." Rwanda - Eating the Rwandan Way. 02 "Eating the Rwandan Way." Rwanda - Eating the Rwandan Way. 02 Nov. 2006 <http://www.cp-pc.ca/english/rwanda/eating.html>.Nov. 2006 <http://www.cp-pc.ca/english/rwanda/eating.html>.

Gourevitch, Philip. "The Triump of Evil." Front Line. 02 Nov. 2006 Gourevitch, Philip. "The Triump of Evil." Front Line. 02 Nov. 2006 <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/evil/interviews/gour<http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/evil/interviews/gourevitch.html>.evitch.html>.

Gourevitch, Phillip. “Stories from Rwanda.” 1998 Gourevitch, Phillip. “Stories from Rwanda.” 1998 <http://www.historyplace.com/pointsofview/rwanda.htm><http://www.historyplace.com/pointsofview/rwanda.htm>

"Interview Prudence Bushnell." Front Line. 01 Apr. 2004. 01 Nov. "Interview Prudence Bushnell." Front Line. 01 Apr. 2004. 01 Nov. 2006 2006 <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh//pages/frontline////shows/ghosts/interviews/<http://www.pbs.org/wgbh//pages/frontline////shows/ghosts/interviews/bushnell.html>.bushnell.html>.

"Leave None to Tell the Story: Rwanda Genocide." Human Rights "Leave None to Tell the Story: Rwanda Genocide." Human Rights Watch. Mar. 1999. 03 Nov. 2006 Watch. Mar. 1999. 03 Nov. 2006 <http://129.194.252.80/catfiles/1317.pdf>.<http://129.194.252.80/catfiles/1317.pdf>.

"West 'Guilty' Over Rwanda Genocide." CNN. 06 Apr. 2004. 03 Nov. "West 'Guilty' Over Rwanda Genocide." CNN. 06 Apr. 2004. 03 Nov. 2006 2006 <http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/africa/04/06/rwanda.dallaire/inde<http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/africa/04/06/rwanda.dallaire/index.html>.x.html>.