Conflict & Intervention: Kosovo & Rwanda

What were the main causes of conflict in Rwanda from 1990 to 1998?

Ethnic tensions, creation of the Hutu Power Movement, role of media, economic causes, colonial legacy, Rwandan Civil War, and the assassination of President Habyarimana.

What role did colonial legacy play in the Rwandan conflict?

The Belgian colonial administration favored the Tutsi minority over the Hutu majority, creating deep-seated resentment and a social hierarchy.

What was the outcome of the political struggles in Rwanda post-independence?

Political power shifted to the Hutus, leading to discrimination against Tutsis and the implementation of marginalizing policies.

What initiated the Rwandan Civil War in 1990?

The Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), mainly composed of Tutsi exiles, launched an invasion from Uganda aiming to overthrow the Hutu government.

How did the Hutu government use propaganda during the conflict?

The Hutu government used propaganda to dehumanize Tutsis, portraying them as enemies of the state, fueling hatred and violence.

What economic factors contributed to the Rwandan conflict?

Economic decline in the late 1980s, including food shortages and unemployment, intensified social frustrations, leading to scapegoating of Tutsis.

What culminated in the Rwandan Genocide of 1994?

The interplay of ethnic tensions, political struggles, and economic factors led to the Rwandan Genocide.

How did the Kosovo conflict escalate in the late 1990s?

Ethnic tensions between the Albanian majority and Serb minority escalated, particularly after the breakup of Yugoslavia, leading to violence and human rights abuses.

What was the role of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA)?

The KLA fought for the independence of Kosovo from Serbia, leading to a violent crackdown by the Serbian government.

How did the international community respond to the Kosovo crisis?

NATO conducted a bombing campaign against Serbian forces in 1999, responding to the humanitarian crisis.

What was controversial about NATO's intervention in Kosovo?

The intervention was conducted without approval from the United Nations Security Council.

What happened to Kosovo after the international intervention?

Kosovo was placed under UN Administration, and in 2008, it declared independence from Serbia.

Why does the status of Kosovo remain contentious?

Some countries recognize its independence while others, including Serbia, do not, reflecting complexities in ethnic nationalism and international law.