Crisis: Rwanda, 1994 Unit 3 – Africa Lesson 8 – Crisis – Rwanda 1994

Essential Questions What did the Hutu rebel army, the “Interhamwe” have planned for the Tutsi population in Rwanda? Why is Paul Rususabagena considered a hero?

Questions to ponder What is genocide? Why was Hitler’s genocide plan to repulsive? After WWII, most Americans swore “never again,” and we’ve since been the strongest supporters of Israel. What if another race was threatened… what should we do? Remember Somalia, 1993 (Blackhawk Down). What was our reaction to Americans drug in the street when our soldiers were there to HELP Africans?

Basics of the Rwanda Crisis 1994 Hutu rebels attempted to eliminate the Tutsi race in their country Hutus slaughtered nearly 1 million Tutsis About half of the Tutsis This is a modern Genocide: killing of an race of people in attempt to wipe them off the planet

Why were the HUTU people so mad? Hutus were angry at Tutsis Tutsis were a part of racist laws that discriminated against Hutus Rwanda had been a colony of Belgium Belgium used Tutsi minority to help rule Hutus were a majority, but had no power

More background to the hatred Prior to 1962 Independence, Hutus started attacking Tutsis 100,000 escaped to neighboring countries They formed the Rwanda Patriotic Front army (RPF) They attacked from the outside

Hutus prepare to eliminate the Tutsis Every time the RPF attacked, the Hutu government retaliated with slaughter and repression of Tutsis 1973 – a Hutu general overthrew the government in a military coup He ruled as a dictator Juvénal Habyarimana

1990s – peace to Civil War Foreign investment grew the economy Attacks diminished, population grew, all seemed OK. Mostly, Hutus prospered, Tutsis did not Suddenly, in 1990, the RPF attacked, a Civil War started, and weakened the President 1993 – the Hutu President was forced to sign a peace treaty

The beginning of the conflict Hutus were livid. Some formed civilian run militant group (Interhamwe) to combat RPF 1994, a plane carrying the Presidents of Rwanda and Burundi was shot down Hutus blamed RPF Interhamwe coordinated attacks on Tutsis

The Rwanda Crisis, 1994 Three armies in conflict: RPF (Tutsi rebel army) INTERHAMWE (civilian Hutu thugs) RWANDA MILITARY (sided with Hutus) Extremist Hutu set up road blocks and killed all Tutsi and moderate Hutu Forced civilians to take up arms and rat out neighbors Tutsis were being exterminated Show first 1.5 min (or up to 5m)

Murders grew to the thousands

Refugees grew the millions

Refugee camp

The “real” Hotel Rwanda guys Nick Nolte Don Cheadle click Paul Rusesabagina Gen Romeo Dallaire

Uganda Idi Amin Dada: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWSS57wXy8Y 5 evil men: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zdz0NNeUQWg