Rwanda Genocide Flashcards

The Existence of God and the Devil

• Personal testimony asserting belief in God based on a firsthand experience with evil in Rwanda.

Africa Map and Key Locations

• Geographic overview of Africa, highlighting Rwanda's location and neighboring countries.

• Mentions of various European cities and their historical connections to Africa.

Ethnic Conflict in Rwanda

• Three ethnic groups: Twa, Hutu, and Tutsi.

• Hutu agriculturalists arrived between the 5th and 11th centuries.

• Tutsi herdsmen arrived in the 14th century.

• Historically, Tutsis were herdsmen, while Hutus were cultivators.

• Group identity acquired economic and class dimensions.

• Belgian colonizers favored Tutsis, exacerbating divisions.

• 1933: Introduction of mandatory ID cards to differentiate ethnic groups.

Hutu Revolution

• Post-WWII transition to democracy led Belgium to support Hutus.

• 1957: Formation of PARMEHUTU (Party for Hutu Emancipation).

• 1959: Tutsi formed the National Rwandese Union (UNAR) to distance themselves from colonizers.

• First ethnic violence in 1959: Hutus killed an estimated 10,000-100,000 Tutsis.

• Many Tutsis fled to Uganda, forming the “Children of ’59,” who later evolved into the RPF (Rwandan Patriotic Front).

• July 1, 1962: Rwanda and Burundi gained independence.

Rwanda 1962-1990

• 1963: Formation of the First Republic.

• Ethnic racism under President Kayibanda’s regime aimed to solidify Hutu authority.

• Kayibanda’s regime attacked by Inyenzi (Tutsi rebels).

• Massacres occurred in Gikongoro, with estimates ranging from 300 to 14,000 Tutsi deaths.

• 1973-1990: Second Republic established.

• Juvenal Habyarimana seized power.

• 1974: Formation of the National Revolutionary Movement for Development (MRND), the only legal party in Rwanda.

Rwanda 1962-1990 (Continued)

• October 1990: RPF launched an attack against the government.

• The attack initially made the MRND appear legitimate.

• The RPF invasion failed.

• French troops and Zaire aided the government.

• Paul Kagame became the leader of the RPF, building its army from 2,000 to 15,000 soldiers.

• December 1991: Formation of Interahamwe.

• The Interahamwe became key to the Hutu Power movement, focusing on the destruction of the Tutsi population.

• “Network Zero” was established.

Rwanda 1962-1990: Propaganda and the Hutu 10 Commandments

• Kangura magazine was used to spread propaganda, similar to the works of Goebbels and Streicher.

• The Hutu 10 Commandments, designed to incite hatred and discrimination against Tutsis, included:

  • Tutsi women work for the Tutsi cause and should not be married, employed, or have relations with Hutus.

  • Hutu daughters are more worthy than Tutsi daughters.

  • Hutu women must ensure their husbands and sons act reasonably.

  • All must know Tutsis are dishonest.

  • Public office, economics, military, and security should be exclusively Hutu.

  • The Hutu majority must prevail in education.

  • The army should be exclusively Hutu.

  • Hutus must stop having mercy on Tutsis.

  • Hutus must stay united.

  • Hutu ideology must be taught to Hutus of every age.

Rwanda 1962-1990: Propaganda (Continued)

• Radio Television Libre des Milles Collines (RTLM) broadcast from July 8, 1993, to July 1994.

• RTLM described as the “most successful hate radio in history”.

• 60% of the population was illiterate, making radio a powerful medium.

• Samantha Power noted that “killers in Rwanda often carried a machete in one hand and a radio transistor in the other.”

• RTLM and Kangura worked together to disseminate hate speech against Tutsis.

The Arusha Peace Accord

• As the conflict continued, the RPF advanced within 20 km of Kigali.

• French forces intervened.

• The RPF’s success hardened the stance of extremists.

• August 1993: President Habyarimana agreed to the Arusha Accords, which included:

  • A cease-fire.

  • Reduction of presidential powers.

  • Establishment of the rule of law.

  • Power sharing between Hutu and Tutsi.

  • Resettlement of refugees.

  • Integration of the RPF into armed forces.

  • Establishment of a national assembly.

  • Elections within 2 years.

  • Deployment of a UN force to oversee the implementation of the accords.

The Arusha Peace Accord: United Nations Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR)

• UNAMIR’s mission was to assist in securing the capital and monitor the cease-fire.

• Led by General Romeo Dallaire.

• Comprised 2,500 soldiers, 900 of whom were untrained and ill-equipped.

• “Jean Pierre” issued a warning to Dallaire about planned violence.

• Large quantities of machetes were imported.

• Widespread training of Interahamwe was ongoing (planned to kill 1,000 people every 20 minutes).

• Plans were in place to kill members of the peacekeeping force.

• April 6, 1994: President Habyarimana and President Ntaryamira were assassinated.

April – July 1994: Key Events Following Assassination

• Planned killing of opposition members and Hutu moderates.

• Prime Minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana was murdered.

• Murder of UN peacekeepers (10 Belgian soldiers).

• Exploitation of the “Somalia Syndrome” (lack of international intervention).

• Takeover of power by Hutu extremists.

• Extremists infiltrated all realms of society, including the Catholic Church.

• Father Athanase Seromba was eventually convicted of crimes against humanity.

April – July 1994 (Continued)

• April 14-15: Nyarubuye massacre.

• Mayor Sylvestre Gacumbitsi invited thousands of Tutsi to the church of Nyarubuye, where 20,000 people were killed.

• April 15-16: Ntarama massacre, resulting in the deaths of 5,000 Tutsi.

• Townspeople attacked with clubs and machetes.

• RTLM continued to incite violence, declaring, “All Tutsi will perish. They will disappear from the earth. Slowly, slowly, slowly. We will kill them like rats.”

April – July 1994: Nature of the Genocide

• Estimated 200,000 Hutu participated in the genocide.

• Methods were brutal.

• In Butare province, 60% of victims were killed by machete.

• Rape was used as a weapon.

• UN report stated, “Rape was the rule, its absence was the exception.”

• Used to humiliate and destroy Tutsi women.

• Tutsi women were held in high esteem and were depicted as beautiful and treacherous by propaganda.

• Rape led to mutilation of body parts.

• Estimated 500,000 women/girls were raped.

• Jean-Paul Akayesu was prosecuted for rape and sexual violence against Tutsi women.

April – July 1994: International Response

• April 20: Belgium withdrew peacekeepers.

• April 21: UN troops were reduced to 270.

• France supported Habyarimana from 1990-1993, training the Rwandan army and Interahamwe.

• France was present in Kigali and near the airport when the plane carrying Habyarimana was shot down.

• Operation Amaryllis: April 8, 1994, 500 French troops arrived to evacuate foreign residents.

• June 1994: French troops set up a safe zone (Operation Turquoise), providing safety to Tutsis and escape for Hutus.

April – July 1994: International Response (Continued)

• Role of the US:

  • Presidential Decree Directive 25 prevented US forces from being used by the UN against US foreign policy interests.

  • A “two-month dance to avoid the g-word” (genocide).

  • Colin Keating (New Zealand) urged the council to adopt the term “genocide.”

  • Acknowledged as genocide on June 10.

  • Three reasons for the lack of action:

    • Somalia.

    • Lack of national/economic interest.

    • Domestic concerns.

  • March 25, 1998: President Clinton issued an “apology.”

April – July 1994: Impacts

• Estimated 800,000 people were killed (mostly men).

• 66% of households were headed by women (a 50% increase).

• The structure of society was changed.

• Refugee crisis: Approximately 2 million refugees lived in camps.

• Camps were a mix of Tutsi, Hutu, Interahamwe, and other genocidaires.

• Justice and Reconciliation:

  • May 1994: International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) was established.

  • Major players were put on trial, and many more trials were held in Gacaca courts (2005-2012).

• Today, under the leadership of Paul Kagame, Rwanda is one of the more stable countries in Africa.

Heroic Actors

• Philippe Gaillard: Head of the Red Cross in Rwanda.

  • Vocal about the genocide from the start and abandoned the neutrality of the Red Cross.

Heroic Actors (Continued)

• Paul Rusesabagina: House manager of Hotel des Milles Collines.

  • Saved 1,200 people inside the hotel.

  • Potentially capitalized on the situation for personal gain.

Heroic Actors (Continued)

• Romeo Dallaire

  • Created safe zones for victims with a handful of soldiers, limited resources, and little support from the international community.

Heroic Actors (Continued)

• Carl Wilkens: Head of Adventist Development and Relief Agency.

  • Negotiated with leaders and genocidaires to save lives.

Heroic Actors (Continued)

• Mbaye Diagne: Unarmed UN peacekeeper.

  • Saved hundreds, possibly thousands, of people against orders.

  • Killed May 31, 1994.

  • Remembered as “the bravest of the brave” and “the greatest man I have ever known.”