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Colonisation
Rwanda becomes a German colony -
Belgium Control
Belgium takes control of Rwanda -
Identity Cards introduced
Belgians mandate that everyone be issued with a identity card. This card identifys them as Hutu, Tutsi or Twa. -
Genocide Delared a Crime
The United Nations defines genoicide and officially declares it a crime under national law. -
Hutu Rebellion
An uprising of the Hutus was sparked by a 'violent incident'. This led to 100's of Tutsi deaths and also this forced them to flee the country. -
Tutsi Monarchy
14 months into the Hutu rebellion, the Tutsi monarchy is completely abolished. -
Independence
On the first of July 1962, Rwanda finally achieves independence from the Belgians. -
RPF invades.
In 1988, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) invaded Rwanda. This sparked an intense civil war. -
New Constitiution
In 1991 a new constitution is introduced which allows for multiple political parties. -
Presidents Plane Shot Down
The president of Rwanda, Juvénal Habyarimana, was killed when his plane was shot out of the sky. This known to be one of the huge events that led to the Rwandan Genocide. -
Hutu Extremists Begin Killing Opponents
Hutu extremeists use the death of Juvénal Habyarimana, who was a Hutu, as an excuse to start killing Tutsi political opponenets -
The Genocide begins.
The beginning of the Genocide is seen when hundreds of Tutsis were massacred at a Catholic Church. -
Another Massacre
Less than a week after the previous massacre, thousands more Tutsis were brutally massacred at another Catholic Church. -
Kibuye Massacre
On the 18th of April 1994, approximate 12,000 Tutsis were killed after they were found hiding from the Hutu extremists. A further 50,000 were hunted down in the hills of Bisesero.
Hutu extremists also entered hospitals to kill Tutsis. -
Tutsis Flee
Approximatley a quarter of a million Tutsis flee the Hutus by escaping into neighbouring country, Tanzania. -
RPF move in
Finally, on the 23rd of May the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) move in and gains control of the Rwandan Presidential Palace. -
Safe Zone
On the 5th of July, a safe zone is formed in the southwest corner of Rwanda. The safe zone is known as Operation Turquoise. -
Hutus Flee
Approximately one million Hutus flee Rwanda and enter the Democratic Republic of Congo. -
The Genocide is Over
Finally, the Rwandan Genocide is over due to the Rwandan Patriotic Front regaining control of the country and putting an end to the violence.
