Rwanda

1. Rwanda

2. First Impression(s) • You are travelling to a country somewhere outside Canada, you meet a native of said country. They ask you what Canada is like… • Using the sticky note provided, write the top 5 things you would tell this person about Canada. How would you describe Canada? • Be prepared to share your list with the class.

3. Placemat Activity • Get into groups of 3-4 and divide provided paper using a template below • Gently place contents of ziploc bag in the centre of your placemat. This is your info packet. • Quietly and on your own for 2-3 minutes, write down as much info as you can gather about Rwanda from the provided info packet • When given the signal, we will do a ‘ghost walk’ (to be explained) • As a group, come to an agreement about the top 5 pieces of information from the info packet that you think best describes Rwanda • Be prepared to present your Top 5 list and a rationale for your choices

4. 1300s Tutsis migrate to what is now Rwanda (already inhabited by the Twa and Hutu peoples) Late 1800s Tutsi King Kigeri Rwabugiri establishes unified state with centralised military structure 1850s John Hanning Speke first European to visit area

5. History of Colonization 1890 Area now known as Rwanda becomes part of German East Africa 1916 Forces from Belgian Congo invade 1919 Treaty of Versailles divides Germany’s colonies; Belgium gains control of part of the area 1924 League of Nations grants Belgium mandate for control of Ruanda-Urundi 1946 Ruanda-Urundi becomes UN trust territory governed by Belgium July 1, 1962 Rwanda and Burundi gain independence

6. Mwami Kigeri IV • Mwami = King • Tutsi, birth name Rwabuguri • Ruled 1853-1895 • Manipulated social system by enforcing uburetwa – labour in return for land • This system was restricted to Hutu peasant farmers; Tutsis were exempt • Introduced “ethnic” differentiation between Tutsi and Hutu based on socio-economic positions • Gaining wealth meant losing “Hutuness” • Further enforced with expansion of provinces, districts, etc. with Tutsis as chiefs in power

7. Exploration • John Hanning Speke • 1827-1864 • Officer in British Indian Army • Made 3 explorations to/of Africa • Most associated with the search for the source of the Nile • In 1856, went to East Africa to search for the Great Lakes • “Found” Lake Tanganyika (tip begins in southwest Rwanda) and another lake that he named Lake Victoria

8. Belgium’s influence Raubwirtschaft German for “plunder economy” or “robber economy” The goal is to take as much wealth and resources from a country or geographical area. Koloniale Raubwirtschaft Form of colonialism with same goal but no intention of developing the colony economically.

9. What did Belgium do? Issued passcards to Rwandans

10. 1950s: The Road to Independence • Belgium continued to rule the country as a UN Trust Territory with the ‘intention’ to guide it to independence • Led to the emergence of two (2) rival groups • Hutus wanted end to Tutsi ‘feudalism’ (holding land in exchange for service/labour) • 1957: Hutus establish Parmehutu (a nationalist party) • Tutsis wanted independence under present system (Tutsi monarchy) • 1959: Tutsis establish UNAR (Union Nationale Rwandaise) • 1959 – 1961: ‘Muyaga’ or The Wind of Destruction • Ethnic violence between Hutus and Tutsis, initiated by Hutus • Estimated 20,000-100,000 people killed • Thousands, including the Mwami (king), fled to Uganda • Belgian army intervened to quell the violence • By 1962, Rwanda separated from Burundi and gained independence

11. 1960s and 1970s: Movers & Shakers Grégoire Kayibanda Juvénal Habyarimana

13. Foundation of Rebel Force • In 1979, the Rwandese Alliance for National Unity (RANU) Goal: To resolve issues in Diaspora, namely lack of peaceful options for political change • In 1987, RANU becomes the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) Goals: • To promote national unity and reconciliation • To establish genuine democracy & eradicate corruption • To provide security for all Rwandese • To build an integrated and self-sustaining economy • To repatriate and resettle Rwandese refugees • To devise and implement policies that promote the social welfare of all • To pursue foreign policy based on equality, peaceful co-existence and mutual benefit between Rwanda and other countries.

14. The Rwandan Civil War Conflict lasting from 1990-1993 Between the government of President Habyarimana (Hutu) and the rebel Rwandan Patriotic Front (Tutsi group in other country) Tutsis were trying to take back the power in Rwanda Peace agreements were signed, but Habyarimana (Hutu President) doesn’t cede power to other political party Habyarimana

15. The Action of… two extremist Hutu militias The Interahamwe "those who stand together" or "those who work together" or "those who fight together” A Hutu paramilitary organization Backed by the Hutu Government Impuzamugambi "Those who have the same goal" or "Those who have a single goal" Hutu militia

16. The Catalyst On April 6, 1994, the airplane carrying Rwandan President Habyarimana and Hutu president of Burundi was shot down as it prepared to land in Kigali Both presidents died when the plane crashed. Responsibility for the attack is disputed, with both the RPF and Hutu extremists being blamed In spite of disagreements about the identities of its perpetrators, the attack on the plane is to many observers the catalyst for the genocide

18. Closing Activity • Revisit your first impression(s) of Rwanda • Remember what you wrote on your placemat? • How would you now describe the country? • From your top 5 list what would you change? What would you keep the same? • Form your “second” impression(s) of Rwanda

19. Next class: Focus on the 100 Days of Genocide