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FOCUS on Rwanda

FOCUS on Rwanda. Historical Context. Pre-colonial period Tutsis had a higher social status than the Hutu because they were more affluent Tutsi were cattle herders Hutu were farmers Intermarriage was very common Peaceful relationship until the arrival of colonists. Colonial Period.

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FOCUS on Rwanda

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  1. FOCUS on Rwanda

  2. Historical Context Pre-colonial period • Tutsis had a higher social status than the Hutu because they were more affluent • Tutsi were cattle herders • Hutu were farmers • Intermarriage was very common • Peaceful relationship until the arrival of colonists

  3. Colonial Period • Belgium takes over the German Mandate • Gave identification cards to Hutu & Tutsi – created racial identities – even though there were no real differences in race • Gave preferential treatment to the Tutsi (jobs in education, business, economy) • Encouraged tribal conflict & rivalry between the two groups – classic “Divide & Conquer” philosophy • By 1960 the Belgians agreed to have democratic municipal elections; the Hutu, who were the majority, won most of these • Belgians agreed in 1961 to abolish the Tutsi monarchy and to establish a republic in which the Hutu would govern.

  4. Arusha Accords July 1992 - August 1993 • Attempt to end the three year civil war between Hutu and Tutsi • Parties involved - RPF (Rwandan Patriotic Front), which were mainly Tutsi, and the Rwandan Government, mainly Hutu. • Mediated by US, France, Org. of African Unity • Stripped power from the Hutu president and set up the Traditional Broad Based Government (TBBG), which would include leaders from the RPF as well as other parties

  5. Aftermath of Arusha • Interhamwe • Local militias formed that were sympathetic to the Hutu government – carried out most of the killings • Known for their use of machetes • Romeo Dallarie & UNAMIR • UN created this mission two days after the signing of the Arusha Accords • Set up to help carry out the objectives set up in the Accords • Canadian Major General, Romeo Dallarie, was put in charge of the mission & given 2,500 troops, 400 of which were Belgian!

  6. Early Warning Signs • Aircraft arrives in Kigali with weapons and munitions (from China) for the Rwandan Armed Forces • Because of the UN mandate, Dallarie was unable to seize the cache • Rwandan officials told him that they were ordered before the Arusha Accords were signed • Rwandan military begins checking identification to determine whether individuals are Hutu or Tutsi • Allows the military to accurately identify who they should kill

  7. The Beginning of the End • Catalyst of the Genocide • Hutu President’s plane was shot down; this was blamed on the Tutsi ‘cockroaches’, which provided the justification for the slaughter to begin • Radio Télévision Libre de Mille Collines • Supported by the government radio station, Radio Rwanda • Spread hate propaganda against the Tutsis & condemned UNIMIR • Broadcasted the code word “cut down the tall trees” following the president’s plane being shot down, which prompted the killings to begin

  8. The Genocide Begins • Killings took place at five times the rate of the Nazi Holocaust. • First political targets: Prime Minister who was a moderate Hutu & 10 Belgian UNAMIR soldiers • Belgium quickly pulls their troops as do other nations, leaving only 270 troops! • Dallarie refused to abandon the mission & requested 5000 more troops….this request was denied. • After 100 days of killing the RPF was able to take control of Kigali and restore order to most of the country…too little, too late; the damage was done!

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