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Rwanda - Urundi are joined as a League of Nations mandate governed by Belgium
On August 31 in 1923, League of Nations passed a resolution giving Belgium the right to govern Rwanda and its southern neighbor Burundi, as the territory of Ruanda-Urundi. The resolution taken by the League of Nations followed actions by small European troops as they engaged in war for control of the areas of Rwanda. -
Rwanda proclaimed a republic
On January 28 in 1961, a republic was proclaimed, which was confirmed in an UN-supervised referendum later in the year. Belgium granted independence to Rwanda on July 1, 1962. The first Constitution of the Republic of Republic provided for a multi-party system and guaranteed human and political rights, but when used it failed to prevent the spiral of ethnic and political violence that resulted in the tragic genocide of 1994. -
Tutsis killed followed by invasion by Tutsi rebels
From bases in western Uganda, Tutsi refugees called the Inyenzi launched attacks into Rwanda. The violence caused thousands of Tutsi to flee to Burundi, Uganda and Tanzania. Soon, almost millions of Tutsis had left the Rwanda and they failed to unite into their new countries. The Rwanda government refused to allow them to return. -
New constitution and President Habyarimana
A constitutional referendum was held in Rwanda on 17 December 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, which was confirmed by 89.9% of voters. Juvénal Habyarimana was re-elected unopposed with 98.99% of the vote on 24 December 1978. -
Rwandan Civil War
The Rwandan Civil War was a conflict within the Central African nation of Rwanda, between the government of President Juvénal Habyarimana and the rebel Rwandan Patriotic Front. On 1 October 1990, the Rwandan Patriotic Army invaded northern Rwanda. After primary gains in threatening Kigali, the offensive was turned back with the assistance of Zairean and French troops sent to strengthen the Habyarimana regime. Talks of peace negotiations resulted in the signing of the Arusha Accords in 1993. -
Rwanda Genocide between Hutus and Tutsis
The genocide was caused by a power struggle between two dominant tribes in both Rwanda and Burundi: the Hutus and Tutsis. It sparked when the Hutu Rwandan president was killed. The Hutus then took advantage to kill off Tutsis. Over 800,000 people killed and the war lasted 100 days. Eventually, Tutsi rebels of Rwandan Patriotic Front came from Uganda and stopped the genocide. -
Paul Kagame becomes President
On 22 April in 2000, Paul Kagame took the Oath of Office as President of the Republic of Rwanda after being elected by the Transitional National Assembly. President Kagame has planned a national development, launching a program which aims to transform Rwanda into a middle income country by 2020. He is also still the current president of Rwanda.
