Genocidio en Ruanda: ¿por qué y cómo sucedieron los hechos?

Genocide in Rwanda: A Historical Overview

Causes of the Genocide

• The Rwandan genocide lasted 100 days, with its roots tracing back to the colonial period in the 19th century when Belgian authorities classified the population by ethnicity.

• Tutsis, a minority group perceived as more European-like, were favored for better jobs, while Hutus, the majority, were relegated to less desirable roles, fostering resentment.

• Following Rwanda's independence in 1962, political control shifted to Hutus; however, interethnic tensions continued to escalate.

Key Events Leading Up to the Genocide

• In 1973, Juvenal Habyarimana seized power through a military coup. By 1993, a peace agreement was signed between his government and the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), composed of Tutsi rebels.

• The assassination of President Habyarimana on April 6, 1994—when his plane was shot down—triggered widespread violence and marked the beginning of the genocide.

Impact and Aftermath

• An estimated one million people were killed during this period; additionally, around 250,000 women were raped and approximately 95,000 children executed.

• Media outlets like Radio Télévision Libre des Mille Collines incited violence against Tutsis by dehumanizing them with derogatory terms such as "cockroaches."

International Response

• On April 21st, the UN Security Council decided to withdraw its troops from Rwanda amidst escalating violence.