Feature History - Rwandan Genocide (2/2)

Summary

In 1994, Rwanda descended into a brutal genocide following the assassination of President Habyarimana. The RPF, led by Paul Kagame, fought to seize control while the Hutu-led government, backed by militias like the Interahamwe, unleashed a wave of mass killings. Despite the presence of UN peacekeepers, international inaction and restrictions left the Tutsi population vulnerable. Over 800,000 people were murdered in 100 days. The genocide ended with the RPF's victory, but the aftermath saw millions of Hutus flee, setting the stage for further conflict in the region. Rwanda’s recovery, while marked by Kagame’s leadership, obscured the RPF's own complicity in war crimes.

Takeaways

• 😀 Rwanda's economy was in ruins, and the military was weak as the RPF gained strength and advanced towards Kigali.
• 😀 The international community pressured Kagame to halt his gains, leading to a demilitarized zone (DMZ) between the two sides.
• 😀 The Arusha Accords in August 1993 set the stage for power-sharing, a unified army, and hopes for peace, but the situation quickly unraveled.
• 😀 Hutu extremists, led by figures like Bagosora, sabotaged the peace process, preparing for a violent response instead of cooperation.
• 😀 The United Nations' peacekeeping mission, UNAMIR, was largely ineffective due to its limited mandate and political constraints.
• 😀 The assassination of President Habyarimana in April 1994 set off the Rwandan Genocide, targeting Tutsi and moderate Hutu civilians.
• 😀 Prime Minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana was a key target of the extremists and was killed alongside ten Belgian soldiers.
• 😀 The international community responded belatedly, prioritizing the evacuation of foreigners rather than intervening to stop the violence.
• 😀 As the genocide unfolded, the FAR and Interahamwe militias rampaged through Rwanda with the support of the Hutu elite.
• 😀 The RPF, led by Kagame, successfully defeated the FAR and took Kigali by July 1994, ending the genocide but leaving 800,000 dead.
• 😀 After the genocide, Rwanda was left in ruins, with Kagame consolidating power, but the legacy of violence and trauma persisted in the country and region.
• 😀 The international community expressed regret for its failure to intervene, but the Rwandan Genocide became a tragic reminder of the cost of inaction.

Q & A

What was the state of Rwanda's economy and military at the start of the conflict?

Rwanda's economy was in ruin, the FAR (Rwandan Armed Forces) were weak, and the RPF (Rwandan Patriotic Front) had grown significantly stronger, enabling them to approach Kigali with rapid military momentum.

What role did the international community play during the early stages of the conflict?

The international community, led by the United Nations, pressured Kagame to withdraw from newly acquired areas, but failed to intervene meaningfully to prevent the escalating violence, leaving the UNAMIR peacekeeping force limited by its mandate to 'keep peace' rather than take decisive action.

How did the Arusha Accords impact the political situation in Rwanda?

The Arusha Accords, signed in August 1993, aimed at power-sharing between Hutu and Tutsi factions, and included provisions for a unified military. However, the accords were undermined by the Hutu extremist factions who felt threatened by the power shift and worked against their implementation.

Why was the assassination of President Habyarimana so significant?

The assassination of President Habyarimana on April 6, 1994, triggered the immediate breakdown of order in Rwanda, leading to the genocide. It sparked a power struggle, with the Akazu group attempting to seize control and launching the killings that would follow.

What was the role of the UNAMIR mission during the genocide?

UNAMIR, under Canadian General Romeo Dallaire, was tasked with maintaining peace but was largely ineffective due to its restrictive mandate and the failure of the international community to provide adequate support. They were unable to stop the genocide and could only observe as the violence escalated.

How did the French, Belgian, and U.S. forces respond during the genocide?

The French, Belgian, and U.S. forces initially evacuated foreign nationals, prioritizing the safety of expatriates over the Rwandan population. France also allegedly provided support to the Hutu regime and its forces, allowing them to continue their operations, while UNAMIR forces were left to face the situation with limited resources.

What was the significance of the phrase 'Cut the tall trees' in the context of the genocide?

The phrase 'Cut the tall trees' was a coded signal broadcast by Radio Télévision Libre des Mille Collines, directing the Interahamwe militias to target Tutsi individuals and moderate Hutus. It marked the start of the systematic massacres during the genocide.

What was the international community's response to the genocide after the fact?

After the genocide, the international community expressed regret, claiming they were unaware of the extent of the atrocities and apologizing for their lack of intervention. However, the response was widely seen as too little, too late, and failed to prevent further escalation in Central Africa.

What was the aftermath of the genocide for Rwanda and its people?

The genocide left Rwanda devastated, with an estimated 800,000 people killed. The country faced immense trauma, as nearly 40% of the population was either dead or displaced. The nation’s recovery was overshadowed by the psychological and social scars left by the conflict.

What were the consequences of the genocide for the surrounding region, particularly in relation to the Congo Wars?

The genocide contributed to destabilizing the region, particularly in neighboring Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo), where the former Rwandan military and its allies fled. This laid the groundwork for the eruption of the Congo Wars, one of Africa's deadliest conflicts.