Rwanda

Rwanda is broadly divided into two identifiable ethnic groups. The Hutus make up about 85% of the population, with the Tutsis comprising most of the remaining 15%. Historically, Tutsis were politically dominant. Some historians have suggested that this strict tribal divide only became pronounced after the area came under Belgian colonial influence. Attempts to attribute ethnic divisions in other regions to European involvement are common in contemporary discourse, though such claims remain contested.

In 1959, Hutus seized power in a revolution following years of intergroup violence. At this time, Rwanda was a single territory bordering Burundi. The country gained independence in 1960, with a Hutu majority that dominated politically. While low-level conflict between the groups persisted throughout the 1960s, tensions escalated significantly after 1990. The Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), formed by exiled Tutsis, invaded Rwanda in 1990. This conflict continued until 1993. On 6 April 1994, a plane carrying the presidents of Rwanda and Burundi, both Hutus, was shot down. Following this incident, the Rwandan government directed militia groups to retaliate against the Tutsi minority, marking the beginning of the Rwanda genocide, which is generally considered to have lasted from 7 April to 15 July 1994.

Genocide

{{Rwanda Genocide}}

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