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Belgian forces occupy Rwanda
In 1916 during World War I, Belgian troops from the neighboring Belgian Congo seized Rwanda from the Germans. After the war, it was joined with Burundi to become a Belgian League of Nations mandate, under the name Ruanda-Urundi. It was fully given to them by the League of Nations in 1918 (Post World War – part of the Treaty of Versailles). -
Rwanda Proclaimed A Republic
On January 28, 1961, a Hutu-administration was proclaimed, which was confirmed in an UN-supervised referendum later in the year. It had the name “Republique Rwandaise”. On July 1, 1962, this republic was recognized by resolution of the United Nations, so Belgium granted independence to Rwanda. -
Tutsis
There were more massacres of Tutsis, but this time in response to military attack by exiled Tutsis in Burundi. Tutsi refugees called the Inyenzi left the country. They fled to Burundi, Uganda, and Tanzania. It is estimated that by the mid-1960s half of the Tutsi population is living outside Rwanda. Soon, the Rwanda government wouldn’t let them come back. -
Consituton and Habyarimana Re-elected
A constitutional referendum was held in Rwanda on December 17, 1978. The new constitution created a presidential republic with no term limits for the President, and made the National Revolutionary Movement for Development the sole legal party. Juvénal Habyarimana was re-elected unopposed with 98.99% of the vote on 24 December 1978. -
Presidents Killed
President Habyarimana and the president of Burundi, Cyprien Ntaryamira, are killed when Habyarimana's plane is shot down near Kigali Airport. Extremists, suspecting that the president is finally about to implement the Arusha Peace Accords, are believed to be behind the attack. That night the killing begins. -
Hutu Terrorists Commit Murder
In Gikongoro, Rwanda, Venuste Niyonzima is the first man tried locally for crimes against humanity in his own village. A U.N. Human Rights official in Rwanda expresses "serious concern" over the lack of lawyers and adequate defense for those accused of participation in the 1994 genocide. Canadian priest, Guy Pinard, a witness to the 1994 genocide, is murdered by Hutu terrorists while saying mass. -
Georges Rutaganda Found Guilty
A leader of a Hutu militia that helped lead the genocide, businessman Georges Rutaganda, is found guilty of genocide, crimes against humanity, and sentenced to life in prison. He is the sixth person found guilty since the tribunal began hearings in Arusha, Tanzania.
