rwanda

Where the war began

Rwanda Genocide

Romeo Dallaire, Senator Lieutenant General (UNAMIR)

Ultranationalism conflict in Rwanda The crisis in Rwanda changed from a nationalism, to an ultra nationalism conflict when Rwanda was granted independence from the Belgians in 1962. During the reign of the Belgians, the Tutsi were highly favoured over the Hutus. When Rwanda had independence, Hutus, started killing many Tutsi for many year of being treated unfairly. This was later stopped shortly when troops were deployed in Rwanda. But when the president of Rwanda was murdered, who was also Hutu, this started the great genocide.

Rwanda is the home of two ethnic groups : Hutus and Tutsis. The two groups had common language and culture. Hutus formed the majority population by 90%, the other 10% were the Tutsis. However the Tutsis held much of the political power. Due to being favored by the Belgians, who at the time had control over the country when it was a colony.

The Oxford Dictionary definition of GENEOCIDE is the deliberate extermination of a people or nation.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN 1885 – At the Berlin Conference of European Powers, Germany is given control of the area that includes Rwanda. 1916 – Belgium takes over the country but relies on the traditional hierarchy to run the country, it uses the Tutsis to run the including the king who is recognised by both Tutsis and Hutus. 1926 – The Belgians introduce ethnic identity cards. 1959 – The Hutus king of Rwanda Melchior Nadadaey was assinated and the Hutus, supported by the Belgians rise up against the Tutsi nobility. Thousands of Tutsis are killed and thousands more flee to the neighbouring countries. The Belgians switch their overall support to the Hutu’s. 1960 – In Rwanda’s first municipal elections the Hutu’s get the majority. 1962 – Rwanda is granted independence from Belgium. George Kayibanda of the PARMEHUTU Hutu nationalist party comes to power. 1963 – Tutsis who were forced to flee in 1959 attack Rwanda from neighbouring countries. Tutsis are attacked by Hutu’s in Rwanda in retaliation. More Tutsi’s leave. 1967 – More massacres against the Tutsi’s from the Hutu’s in Rwanda. 1973 – The Hutu leaders push Tutsi’s out of their jobs in schools and the universities. Tutsi’s are only allowed 9% of available jobs. 1986 – Tutsis in exile in neighbouring Uganda form the RPF (Rwandan Patriotic Front); membership of the RPF initially involves those who helped to overthrow the Ugandan dictator, Milton Obote. 1989 – World economic problems increase the pressures on Rwandan economy. In turn, this increases poverty and creates discontent. 1990 – October; RPF rebels invade in the hope of creating a power-sharing situation with Habyarimana. They are opposed by government troops – the FAR (Rwandan Armed Forces) – equipped and trained by France and Zaire. 1991 – March; a cease-fire is declared. Recognising they need motivated support, the FAR begins training and equipping civilian militia known as “interahamwe”, meaning “those who stand together”. 1991-1992 – Local persecutions of Tutsis, including murders, are carried out. 1993 – August: following months of negotiations, Habyarimana and the RPF sign a peace and power sharing agreement – the Arusha Peace Accord. 2,500 U.N. troops are deployed to Rwanda to oversee its implementation, under the command of Canadian General Romeo Dallaire. 1993-1994 – The extremist Hutu radio station, – Radio Mille Collines – starts broadcasting calls to attack Tutsis 1994 – April 6th; President Habyarimana’s aeroplane is shot down. He and the President of neighbouring Burundi are killed. The blame is placed on the Tutsis. Massacres of Tutsis begin. 1994 – April 7th; the FAR and the interahamwe set up roadblocks. They round up thousands of Tutsis and moderate Hutu politicians, including women and children; most are massacred using ‘pangas’ – machete-like weapons. U.N. forces are forbidden to intervene, being only allowed to ‘monitor’ the situation. 1994 – April 21st – 10 Belgian soldiers are killed; the UN reduces its forces in the country from 2,500 to 250. 1994 – April 30th – the situation is debated in the United Nations Security Council. They refuse to declare it a ‘genocide’, which would mean they would be forced to intervene. 1994 – May 17th; the U.N. agrees to send 6,800 troops and policemen, mostly African, to Rwanda with powers to defend civilians, although this is delayed because of arguments over who will pay the bill and provide the equipment. A Security Council resolution says “acts of genocide may have been committed.” 1994 – June 22nd; after an initial reluctance, led by the USA delegation, the UN agrees that the killing constitutes officially a ‘genocide’. No troops have arrived in Rwanda. French forces are to be despatched to the south west of Rwanda to create a ‘safe-haven’ (although killing will continue here, too). 1994 – July 17th; the RPF invasion troops reach the capital, Kigali. The massacres finally stop.