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Belgium Takes Control of Rwanda
After the end of WWI Belgium took control of Rwanda, which had previously been a part of German East African. The Rwandan population was made up of two distinct groups: the Hutus and the Tutsis. During this time period Belgians viewed Tutsis as superior to the Hutus and classified the two groups using ethnic identity cards. Hutus made up 85% of the population and this unequal treatment led to much tension and violence. -
The Hutu Revolution
After years of resentment a Hutu revolution occurred which led to over 20,000 Tutsis being killed and 300,000 others taking refuge into Burundi or other neighboring countries. This made the Tutsi minority in Rwanda even smaller. -
Rwanda Becomes a Republic
The Tutsi monarchy was abolished when the Hutus declared Rwanda a republic. After a UN referendum Belgium granted Rwanda independence in 1962 which led to the appointment of a Hutu, Gregoire Kayibanda, as president. Despite this change in power the tensions between Hutus and Tutsis remained high with Tutsis often being blamed for any crisis occurring in the country. -
Appointment of Major General Juvenal Habyarimana
A coup led by a military group appointed moderate Hutu, Major General Juvenal Habyarimana, into power. He was later elected President under the constitution in 1978. Though Habyarimana was reelected for two more terms following his initial presidency, he began losing popularity as time went on. -
Rwandese Patriotic Front Invades Rwanda
A group made up predominantly of Tutsi refugees known as the Rwandese Patriotic Front (RPF) invaded Rwanda from Uganda. This was the start of a civil war between the RPF and the Rwandan Armed Forces. -
Signing of the Arusha Accords
After negotiations with the RPF an agreement known as the Arusha Accords was signed by President Habyarimana which stated that a transition government would include the RPF. This marked the end of the civil war. -
President Habyarimana's Plane is Shot Down
A plane carrying President Habyarimana and the President of Burundi was shot down over Kigali. Hutu extremists were quick to blame the RPF for the attack and within hours they began killing Tutsis and any moderate Hutus. This included the Rwandan Prime Minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana and her ten bodyguards. -
Hutu Extremists Create Interim Government
An interim government was created by Hutu extremists. Government radio stations as well as government officials called on Rwandans to murder the Tutsis. Over the course of three months more than 800,000 people were murdered. -
RPF Gains Back Control
The RPF gained back control of the country after months of mass murder. This shift in government power led approximately two million Hutus to flee the country. -
The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda
The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) was established by the UN Security Council and took place in Tanzania. This was the first international tribunal since the Nuremberg Trials (1945-1946) and the first tribunal with the mandate to prosecute a crime as genocide. In 1995 many individuals were tried for their crimes during the Rwandan genocide, however, the whereabouts of some suspects remained unknown. These trials continued for next decade.
