We’ve had
ongoing discussions here at Peacetalks over the past few weeks about the very
complicated history of Rwanda. In trying to understand the genocide, it has
become clear that there is a very long and complicated history involving the
Hutus and Tutsis. At the risk of being too simplistic, we will begin a series
in our blog called “History Highlights” in which we will dive a little deeper
into the history of the conflict, not just during the genocide but also before
and after 1994.
Although there
is much history behind ethnic tensions in Rwanda, the most immediate cause of
the genocide was the civil war in Rwanda that began in 1990. A group of Tutsis
who had been exiled from Rwanda between the 1960s and 1980s formed the Rwandan
Patriotic Front (RPF) in 1986. In October 1990, the RPF invaded Rwanda to try
to gain control from the Hutu government. Although ceasefires were signed
several times, the Rwandan military continued to train troops, and in 1993 the
RPF launched a new series of attacks.
Rwandan Patriotic Front
Photo
credit: BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/660000/images/_664863_rpf300.jpg)
In August 1993,
President Juvenal Habyarimana and the RPF sign a peace accord that would allow
for a power-sharing government model. However, by March 1994, the incumbent
government had been stalling on the implementation of the agreement. In
addition, the Rwandan radio station RTLM (Radio Television Libre des Mille
Collines), which was established in July 1993, began broadcasting increasingly
hateful propaganda against Tutsis and moderate Hutus.
On April 6,
1994, the plane carrying President Habyarimana and the president of Burundi was
shot down over Kigali. Although it is not clear who is responsible for shooting
down the plane, this is considered the start of the genocide. Once the death of
the president was announced, the RPF launched new attacks and extremist Hutus
began systematically killing Tutsis and moderate Hutus.
President Juvenal Habyarimana
Photo
credit: The Hague Justice Portal
(http://www.haguejusticeportal.net/index.php?id=109220
In the coming
weeks, we will have additional posts about Rwanda’s history, including more
about the history of ethnic tensions, the RPF, and the role of the media in
inciting the genocide. We will also explore efforts at reconciliation after the
genocide, such as the International Criminal Tribunal and a number of other
government initiatives. Stay tuned for more information, and feel free to
contact us if there are any aspects of Rwanda’s history you’d like us to
explore with you!
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