The Rwandan GenocideThe Rwandan Genocide100 Days of Slaughter100 Days of SlaughterApril 6, 1994-July 18, 1994April 6, 1994-July 18, 1994

Source: David Simon, The Teaching of Africa, PIER, Yale University , July 11, 2005Source: David Simon, The Teaching of Africa, PIER, Yale University , July 11, 2005

Tutsi vs HutuTutsi vs HutuThe two main ethnic groups in RwandaThe two main ethnic groups in RwandaHutus were the majority ethnic group Hutus were the majority ethnic group

making up around 85% of the population.making up around 85% of the population.

Rwandan GenocideRwandan Genocide Massacre of an Massacre of an

estimated 800,000 – estimated 800,000 – 1,071,000 ethnic Tutsis 1,071,000 ethnic Tutsis & moderate Hutus & moderate Hutus carried out by Hutu carried out by Hutu extremist groups extremist groups

The killings lasted The killings lasted about 100 days in 1994about 100 days in 1994

The United Nations had The United Nations had little response to the little response to the genocidegenocide

The BeginningThe BeginningStarted with a plane crash (April 6, Started with a plane crash (April 6,

1994)1994)2 Presidents killed2 Presidents killedJuvenal Habyarimana (Rwanda)Juvenal Habyarimana (Rwanda) Cyprian Ntayamira (Burundi)Cyprian Ntayamira (Burundi)

Neighboring CountryNeighboring Country

The BeginningThe BeginningHutu Hutu extremists are extremists are

considered responsible considered responsible for the crashfor the crash

President Habyarimana President Habyarimana was about to sign a was about to sign a Peace AccordPeace AccordThe extremists The extremists

disapproveddisapproved

GenocideGenocide

Genocide of the Genocide of the Tutsi population by Tutsi population by the radical Hutu the radical Hutu populationpopulation

The EndThe EndEnded with a rebel Ended with a rebel

victory by Tutsis victory by Tutsis Rwandan Patriotic Rwandan Patriotic

Army chase out FAR Army chase out FAR (Tutsis)(Tutsis)

Genocide ended with Genocide ended with their victorytheir victory

800,000 people killed800,000 people killed

The Killings BeginThe Killings Begin

The The same nightsame night of the of the plane crashplane crash

The Rwandan Armed The Rwandan Armed Forces (FAR) and Hutu Forces (FAR) and Hutu militia begin killing militia begin killing Tutsis Tutsis Hutu moderatesHutu moderates

The Killings BeginThe Killings Begin

Roadblocks set up Roadblocks set up to capture Tutsis to capture Tutsis and Hutu and Hutu moderatesmoderates

Machetes are the Machetes are the weapon of choice weapon of choice for killingsfor killingsWhy????Why????

The role of the U.N.The role of the U.N.

Fails to interveneFails to intervene Only allowed to Only allowed to

“monitor” the situation“monitor” the situation

The Killing of Belgian SoldiersThe Killing of Belgian Soldiers 10 Belgian soldiers who 10 Belgian soldiers who

worked for the United worked for the United Nations were killedNations were killed

Defining GenocideDefining Genocide The Question of GenocideThe Question of Genocide

Definition:Definition: any of the following acts committed with any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole intent to destroy, in whole

or in partor in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such: , a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such: (a) Killing members of the group; (a) Killing members of the group; (b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the (b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the

group; group; (c) Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated (c) Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated

to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part; to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part; (d) Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the (d) Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the

group; group; (e) Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.(e) Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.

Was it genocide?Was it genocide? Elimination of Tutsis was an explicit goalElimination of Tutsis was an explicit goal Massacres of Hutus not part of an elimination planMassacres of Hutus not part of an elimination plan Are Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups?Are Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups?

Hutu and Tutsi DifferencesHutu and Tutsi Differences Speak same Speak same

languagelanguage Same customsSame customs

But…..But…..

Tutsis had a history of Tutsis had a history of having more powerhaving more power

Causes ‘Ethnic Conflict’Causes ‘Ethnic Conflict’

Historical RelationsHistorical RelationsColonialColonial

Germans and Belgians divided the 2 Germans and Belgians divided the 2 groups in 1916groups in 1916Rigid boundariesRigid boundariesID cards given to differentiate between ID cards given to differentiate between

Hutus/TutsisHutus/TutsisBelgians gave the Tutsis superiorityBelgians gave the Tutsis superiority

Why?Why?

Tutsi Superiority?Tutsi Superiority?Racial studies done on Tutsis/HutusRacial studies done on Tutsis/HutusThese studies “proved” Tutsis were These studies “proved” Tutsis were

superior to Hutussuperior to HutusTutsis were taller, lighter, were more Tutsis were taller, lighter, were more

“European” in nature and had caucasian “European” in nature and had caucasian ancestry making them “superior”ancestry making them “superior”

Tutsis were in control of the cattle and Tutsis were in control of the cattle and pastureland where the Hutus were pastureland where the Hutus were farmersfarmers

Tutsis were given better jobs, control of Tutsis were given better jobs, control of the governments and better educational the governments and better educational opportunitiesopportunities

This leads to resentment by the HutusThis leads to resentment by the Hutus

Causes ‘Ethnic Conflict’Causes ‘Ethnic Conflict’

Hutu Revolt in 1959Hutu Revolt in 1959Hutu population begins to leave Hutu population begins to leave

Rwanda for bordering countriesRwanda for bordering countries

Rwandan independenceRwandan independence1962 Belgians leave 1962 Belgians leave

RwandaRwandaHutus still felt hostility Hutus still felt hostility

towards Tutsistowards TutsisGrégoire Kayibanda Grégoire Kayibanda

becomes first becomes first president(Hutu)president(Hutu)

Economic TensionsEconomic TensionsGrowth in ’70s and Growth in ’70s and

’80s’80sDependent on:Dependent on:

CoffeeCoffeeAidAid

Pre-GenocidePre-GenocideUN Mission for RwandaUN Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) (UNAMIR)

Recommended: about 10,000 soldiers Recommended: about 10,000 soldiers (a.s.a.p.) (a.s.a.p.)

Proposed: 5200 starting 9/93Proposed: 5200 starting 9/93Actual: Actual:

No one before 10/93No one before 10/93Minimal equipment before 1/94Minimal equipment before 1/94Maximum force of 2500 (in April 1994)Maximum force of 2500 (in April 1994)

During the genocideDuring the genocideUnited NationsUnited Nations

Ten Belgians killed immediatelyTen Belgians killed immediatelyPeacekeepersPeacekeepersForces (mostly) withdrawn, 4/20/94Forces (mostly) withdrawn, 4/20/94

United StatesUnited StatesDenialDenialNon-cooperationNon-cooperation

The AftermathThe AftermathThe Rwandan Liberation Front made up of The Rwandan Liberation Front made up of

Tutsis eventually ended the genocide Tutsis eventually ended the genocide about 100 days after it started.about 100 days after it started.

Many Hutus fled to the Congo which Many Hutus fled to the Congo which helped lead to the First and Second helped lead to the First and Second Congo War where another 5.4 million Congo War where another 5.4 million people have died.people have died.

Hotel RwandaHotel Rwanda

Hotel RwandaHotel RwandaThe movie is based on the true events that The movie is based on the true events that

took place during the genocidal violence took place during the genocidal violence that erupted in Rwanda that erupted in Rwanda

Between the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups Between the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups in 1994 in 1994

The central character is Paul The central character is Paul Rusesabagina, a Hutu who managed a Rusesabagina, a Hutu who managed a four-star in Kigali, the Capital of Rwandafour-star in Kigali, the Capital of Rwanda

Paul helped to save 1,268 Tutsi & Hutu Paul helped to save 1,268 Tutsi & Hutu refugees refugees

Paul Rusesabagina-Don CheadlePaul Rusesabagina-Don Cheadle