Rwanda

Rwanda’s Neighbours

Some Info Population: 7,810,056 Capital: Kigali Government type: Republic President: Paul Kagame Ethnicity: 85% Hutu, 14% Tutsi Major languages: Kinyarwanda, English and French are official languages. Swahili is also used. Major religions: Catholic (56.5%), Protestant (26%), Adventist (11.1%), Muslim (4.6%) Population: 7,810,056 Capital: Kigali Government type: Republic President: Paul Kagame Ethnicity: 85% Hutu, 14% Tutsi Major languages: Kinyarwanda, English and French are official languages. Swahili is also used. Major religions: Catholic (56.5%), Protestant (26%), Adventist (11.1%), Muslim (4.6%)

Some Info Life expectancy: years Median age: 18.1 years Natural resources: Gold, tin ore, tungsten ore, methane Canadian imports from: Coffee ($700,000) Canadian exports to: Electrical machinery ($800,000 and worn clothing $100,000) Life expectancy: years Median age: 18.1 years Natural resources: Gold, tin ore, tungsten ore, methane Canadian imports from: Coffee ($700,000) Canadian exports to: Electrical machinery ($800,000 and worn clothing $100,000)

History First colonized by Germany in First colonized by Germany in Germany forced to give it over to Belgium in Treaty of Versailles in Germany forced to give it over to Belgium in Treaty of Versailles in Natives made up of two ethnic groups, Tutsi and Hutu who lived together for 600 years. Natives made up of two ethnic groups, Tutsi and Hutu who lived together for 600 years.

Hutu Tutsi Both groups spoke the same language, shared the same religion, and traded resources. Both groups spoke the same language, shared the same religion, and traded resources. Both followed the Belgian chosen leader and thought he was godlike. Both followed the Belgian chosen leader and thought he was godlike. Intermarriages were common between the two. Intermarriages were common between the two.

Differences Hutu Tutsi Physically the Tutsi were lighter skinned, thinner and taller than Hutus Physically the Tutsi were lighter skinned, thinner and taller than Hutus Hutus were shorter and stocky, darker skinned. Hutus were shorter and stocky, darker skinned. Tutsi were cattle herders, Hutu were famers. Tutsi were cattle herders, Hutu were famers. 85% of people were Hutu, 15% Tutsi 85% of people were Hutu, 15% Tutsi Large Hutu Majority. Large Hutu Majority.

Belgium Influence Belgium orders the citizens to carry identity cards stating who was Tutsi and Hutu. Belgium orders the citizens to carry identity cards stating who was Tutsi and Hutu. Belgium viewed the Tutsi as ethnically superior because they had lighter skin, were taller. Belgium viewed the Tutsi as ethnically superior because they had lighter skin, were taller. Tutsi were richer since they had cattle. Tutsi were richer since they had cattle. Gave privileged jobs and government positions to Tutsi. Gave privileged jobs and government positions to Tutsi. This angered Hutus as they were the majority This angered Hutus as they were the majority

Conflict In 1959 Rwandan Tutsi king dies and Belgium installs another Tutsi king. In 1959 Rwandan Tutsi king dies and Belgium installs another Tutsi king. This angered Hutus and a violent revolution resulted. This angered Hutus and a violent revolution resulted. Rwanda holds an referendum and vote for independence from Belgium. Rwanda holds an referendum and vote for independence from Belgium.

Hutu Power 1962 First Hutu, Gregoire Kayibanda, elected to power First Hutu, Gregoire Kayibanda, elected to power. Throughout the 60’s and 70’s Hutus kill and persecute Tutsi and remove them from powerful jobs. Throughout the 60’s and 70’s Hutus kill and persecute Tutsi and remove them from powerful jobs. 2 million Tutsi fled to Uganda, Congo, Tanzania. 2 million Tutsi fled to Uganda, Congo, Tanzania.

In 1973 military coup installs Hutu General Habyarimana In 1973 military coup installs Hutu General Habyarimana He changes constitution that states Tutsi can only fill 9% of government positions. He changes constitution that states Tutsi can only fill 9% of government positions. Tutsis in Rwanda and all neighboring countries form the Rwandese Patriotic Front (RPF) to fight for Tutsi rights. Tutsis in Rwanda and all neighboring countries form the Rwandese Patriotic Front (RPF) to fight for Tutsi rights.

1990 RPF in all countries invade Rwanda RPF in all countries invade Rwanda. France and Zaire send troops to stop the invasion and force a cease fire in France and Zaire send troops to stop the invasion and force a cease fire in Hutu Government declares Tutsis as enemy of the state. Hutu Government declares Tutsis as enemy of the state. United Nations intervenes to make sure the cease fire is not broken. United Nations intervenes to make sure the cease fire is not broken. Mission is called United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR). Mission is called United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR).

UNAMIR 2500 troops 2500 troops 370 from Canada 370 from Canada 400 Belgium 400 Belgium 800 Ghana 800 Ghana Canadian Lieutenant General Romeo D’allaire is put in charge of the mission to support Arusha Accords cease fire. Canadian Lieutenant General Romeo D’allaire is put in charge of the mission to support Arusha Accords cease fire.

Ethnic Division President Habyarimana takes this event to create a Tutsi enemy threat. President Habyarimana takes this event to create a Tutsi enemy threat. Gave him more support in the country. Gave him more support in the country. Organized massacres of Tutsi and opposition groups. Organized massacres of Tutsi and opposition groups. Formed a youth militia called the Interahamwe (those that attack together). Formed a youth militia called the Interahamwe (those that attack together).

Interehamwe Interehamwe recruiters offered them food, drugs, freedom to rape, cash. Interehamwe recruiters offered them food, drugs, freedom to rape, cash. Encouraged them to take Tutsi possessions. Encouraged them to take Tutsi possessions.

Hutu Power Radio Habyarimana also started the radio station RTLM also known as Hutu Power. Habyarimana also started the radio station RTLM also known as Hutu Power. Used to spread hatred and blame the Tutsi for all problems. Used to spread hatred and blame the Tutsi for all problems. Called them Inyenzi or “cockroaches” Called them Inyenzi or “cockroaches” Also spread hate against UNAMIR and Belgium. Also spread hate against UNAMIR and Belgium. In Burundi, Tutsis murdered the Hutu president making the Rwandans more frightened. In Burundi, Tutsis murdered the Hutu president making the Rwandans more frightened.

Hutu Power Radio Radio announces that Hutu should exterminate their neighbours, take their land and possessions. Radio announces that Hutu should exterminate their neighbours, take their land and possessions. False reports of the Tutsi attacking Hutu in rural parts of country led by the RPF. False reports of the Tutsi attacking Hutu in rural parts of country led by the RPF.

Civilian Civil Defense Force Habyarimana organizes another militia (Civilian Civil Defense Force) of ordinary citizens and gives them clubs and machetes. Habyarimana organizes another militia (Civilian Civil Defense Force) of ordinary citizens and gives them clubs and machetes.

Structure Habyarimana then kills all local leaders that does not support him and replaces them with his own Hutu leaders. Habyarimana then kills all local leaders that does not support him and replaces them with his own Hutu leaders. Police chiefs, Mayors, government employees all support killing the Tutsi. Police chiefs, Mayors, government employees all support killing the Tutsi. They wait for the signal from the Hutu power radio station. They wait for the signal from the Hutu power radio station.

Dallaire’s Cables Dallaire captures shipments of weapons from France (in violation of Arusha Accords) destined for Hutu Government. Dallaire captures shipments of weapons from France (in violation of Arusha Accords) destined for Hutu Government. Meets with Interahamwe informant “Jean Pierre” who tells of weapons caches throughout Rwanda. Meets with Interahamwe informant “Jean Pierre” who tells of weapons caches throughout Rwanda. Dallaire sends cable (communication) requesting permission to capture weapons, and is denied. Forced to tell Habyarimana what he knows. Dallaire sends cable (communication) requesting permission to capture weapons, and is denied. Forced to tell Habyarimana what he knows. Jean Pierre is never seen again Jean Pierre is never seen again

Dallaire sends cable (communication) requesting permission to capture weapons, and is denied. Forced to tell Habyarimana what he knows. Dallaire sends cable (communication) requesting permission to capture weapons, and is denied. Forced to tell Habyarimana what he knows. Jean Pierre is never seen again Jean Pierre is never seen again

Start April 6 th 1994 President Habyarimana is killed when his plane is shot down. April 6 th 1994 President Habyarimana is killed when his plane is shot down. Colonel Bagosora takes charge and orders the military, Interahamwe, Civilian Civil Defense to begin extermination of the Tutsi for self defense. Colonel Bagosora takes charge and orders the military, Interahamwe, Civilian Civil Defense to begin extermination of the Tutsi for self defense.

Strategies Organized to kill 1000 people every 20 minutes Organized to kill 1000 people every 20 minutes Since Rwandans were forced to identify, Hutus knew where they lived. Since Rwandans were forced to identify, Hutus knew where they lived. Went house to house killing families. Went house to house killing families. Local officials order militias to create barriers on roads to prevent Tutsis from leaving. Local officials order militias to create barriers on roads to prevent Tutsis from leaving.

Strategies Force Tutsi to go to public buildings (churches, schools, gov’t buildings) where they are massacred in large scale. Force Tutsi to go to public buildings (churches, schools, gov’t buildings) where they are massacred in large scale.

Belgium Deaths Once the killings started, Romeo Dallaire sent 10 Belgium peacekeepers to protect the Prime Minister Agathe uwilingiyimana Once the killings started, Romeo Dallaire sent 10 Belgium peacekeepers to protect the Prime Minister Agathe uwilingiyimana She is killed She is killed U.N. Troops are captured, tortured and killed by the Hutu. U.N. Troops are captured, tortured and killed by the Hutu.

Evacuations France, Belgium, U.S send 2000 troops, and Military planes to evacuate its citizens in Rwanda, and leave. France, Belgium, U.S send 2000 troops, and Military planes to evacuate its citizens in Rwanda, and leave. Belgium removed its troops after the deaths. Belgium removed its troops after the deaths. Dallaire was left with 270 troops from Canada and 400 from Ghana. Dallaire was left with 270 troops from Canada and 400 from Ghana. UN ordered Dallaire to leave, he denied the order. UN ordered Dallaire to leave, he denied the order.

End of Genocide The genocide came to an end after the RPF invaded once again. The genocide came to an end after the RPF invaded once again. RPF capture Kigali and form an interim government composed of Tutsi and Hutu. RPF capture Kigali and form an interim government composed of Tutsi and Hutu. Final death total is 800,000 Tutsi and Hutu in less than 100 days. Final death total is 800,000 Tutsi and Hutu in less than 100 days.