Rwandan genocide

• In 100 days, 800 000 people were slaughtered by Hutu extremists, targeting members of Tutsi community as well as political opponents irrespective of ethnic origin
• How did the genocide start?

  1. 1959 = Hutus overthrew Tutsi minority and many fled to neighboring countries
  2. 1990 = group of Tutsi exiles formed a rebel group, invaded Rwanda and fought until 1993 peace deal was agreed
  3. 1994 = plane with president was shot down
• How did they fight?

  • Hutu extremists blamed Tutsi for all of Rwanda's problems
  • Extremist Hutu leaders blamed Tutsi for assassinating the president
• How did it end?

  • 2 million Hutu fled to neighbouring countries
  • Many died from cholera
• Why was it so vicious?

  • Rwanda always been tightly controlled with pyramid scheme for each district
  • Hutu extremists set up radio station urging people to kill Tutsis
• Did anyone try to stop it?

  • US = troops killed in Somalia, didn't want to be involved in another conflict
  • French (allies with Hutu) set up safe zones but accused of not doing enough to stop slaughter in area
  • Belgians and most UN pulled out after 10 Belgian soldiers were killed