50 likes | 250 Views
Rwanda Crisis (1994). Zoe Yang. The Republic of Rwanda. A small country in east-central Africa Consisted of three ethnic groups: Hutus, Tutsis, Twas Rwanda was under the control of Belgium until before 1962 Since their independence, two groups fought for power, Hutus and the Tutsis.
E N D
Rwanda Crisis (1994) Zoe Yang
The Republic of Rwanda • A small country in east-central Africa • Consisted of three ethnic groups: Hutus, Tutsis, Twas • Rwanda was under the control of Belgium until before 1962 • Since their independence, two groups fought for power, Hutus and the Tutsis
The Genocide • A mass murder of the Tutsis and moderate Hutus by the Hutus • Approximately 1 million were killed • Hutu, the majority population of Rwanda wanted to dominate Tutsis under the Hutu power ideology • The assassination of Habyarimana was the proximate cause of the genocide (Hutus blamed the Tutsis through the Hutu-controlled radio)
Peacekeeping Efforts • UN set up mission to Rwanda (UNAMIR) • Romeo Dallaire, Canadian Lieutenant-General was promoted to the Major- General for UNAMIR • The General requested UN for additional troops, ammunition, and the authority, however was turned down (No countries committed to UN was willing to pay the cost) • Belgian paratroopers to protect the President were killed, resulting Belgium government to withdraw all of their troops • The General and approximately 500 Canadian troops, despite orders to withdraw, refused to abandon the country to the genocide, and remained to lead what forces remained
The Outcome • The Rwandan government came under RPF (Rwandan Patriotic Front) • The crisis was noted as an extreme failure of the international community to protect the victims of the genocide • The General and his troops were able to maintain safe areas for more than 20 000 terrorized Rwandans • The General received the Aegis Trust Award