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Rwanda genocide

 

Topics Covered: World History.

Rwanda genocide:

Context:

French President Emmanuel Macron has said he recognised his country’s role in the Rwandan genocide and hoped for forgiveness.

  • This comes after years of Rwandan accusations that France was complicit in the 1994 atrocities.

Where is Rwanda?

Rwanda is a landlocked country in central Africa. Its Capital is Kigali.

Population composition: Hutus – majority, Tutsi –Minority.

What is Rwanda genocide?

The Rwandan genocide, also known as the genocide against the Tutsi, was a genocidal mass slaughter of Tutsi in Rwanda by members of the Hutu majority government. An estimated more than 800,000 Rwandans were killed during the 100-day period from April 7 to mid-July 1994.

Causes:

  1. After World War 1, Rwanda came under the League of Nations mandate of Belgium during which the ruling Belgians favored the minority Tutsis over the Hutu majority.
  2. It led to widening communal rift between Tutsis and Hutus.
  3. Rise in oppression of minority Tutsi by Hutu, creating a legacy of tension and violence even before Rwanda gained its independence.
  4. The Hutu revolution in 1959 forced thousands of Tutsis to flee the country.
  5. Ethnically motivated violence continued against Tutsi even after independence in 1962.
  6. Immediate cause – signing of an Arusha agreement by Habyarimana and thereafter killing of moderate Hutu leader Habyarimana of the Rwandan government on Apr 6, 1994 in a plane crash.

French Connection:

France maintained close diplomatic ties with the Hutu dominated government. ever since they gained independence.

During 1994’s civil war, France sent forces only after it felt  that Tutsi rebels would defeat the Hutu militia. France saved many Hutu plotters of Genocide, even gave them shelter/asylum in France.

  • Therefore, some people blame that France knew and helped Hutus to plot this genocide.

 

Insta Curious:

  • Did you know the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide was the first UN human rights treaty?
  • This convention was entered into force in 1951, has been ratified by more than 130 countries.

 

InstaLinks:

Prelims Link:

  1. Where is Rwanda?
  2. Locate Kigali on map.
  3. About the Genocide.
  4. Causes and outcomes.

Mains Link:

Write a note on Rwanda Genocide.

Sources: the Hindu.