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HISTORY OF Ethnic Tension IN RWANDA

HISTORY OF Ethnic Tension IN RWANDA. Ethnic tension in Rwanda is nothing new. The animosity has grown between the MAJORITY Hutus and MINORITY Tutsis since the colonial period. The two ethnic groups speak the same language, inhabit the same areas and follow the same traditions.

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HISTORY OF Ethnic Tension IN RWANDA

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  1. HISTORY OF Ethnic Tension IN RWANDA

  2. Ethnic tension in Rwanda is nothing new.

  3. The animosity has grown between the MAJORITY Hutus and MINORITY Tutsis since the colonial period.

  4. The two ethnic groups speak the same language, inhabit the same areas and follow the same traditions.

  5. Belgian colonists arrived in 1916, saw the two groups as distinct entities, and produced identity cards classifying people according to ethnicity.

  6. The Belgians considered the Tutsis as superior to the Hutus.

  7. The Tutsis welcomed the privilege bestowed upon them for the 20 years, enjoyed better jobs and educational opportunities than Hutus.

  8. Resentment among the Hutus grew. Riots in 1959– More than 20,000 Tutsis were killed, More fled to the neighbouring countries of Burundi, Tanzania and Uganda.

  9. Belgium relinquished power and granted Rwanda independence in 1962. The Hutus took their place, blaming Tutsis for every crisis.

  10. In the years before the genocide, the economic situation worsened and the incumbent president, Juvenal Habyarimana, a Hutu, began losing popularity.

  11. Tutsi refugees in Uganda formed the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF). Tutsis inside Rwanda were accused of being RPF collaborators.

  12. In August 1993, after several attacks and months of negotiation, a peace accord was signed between Habyarimana and the RPF, but it did little to stop the continued unrest.

  13. 1994Habyarimana's plane was shot down at the beginning of April 1994.

  14. Exactly who killed the president - and with him the president of Burundi and many chief members of staff - has not been established.

  15. In Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, the presidential guard immediately initiated a campaign of retribution.

  16. Leaders of the political opposition were murdered, and almost immediately, the slaughter of Tutsis and moderate Hutus began.

  17. About 30,000 military officials, politician, businessmen, neighbors, nuns and priests and others participated in the slaughter.

  18. On the ground at least, the Rwandans were largely left alone by the international community. UN troops withdrew after the murder of 10 soldiers.

  19. Finally, in July, the RPF captured Kigali. The government collapsed and the RPF declared a ceasefire.

  20. As soon as it became apparent that the RPF was victorious, an estimated two million Hutus fled to Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo).

  21. Back in Rwanda, UN troops and aid workers then arrived to help maintain order and restore basic services.

  22. JUSTICE?About 500 people have been sentenced to death, another 100,000 are still in prison, and some of the ringleaders have evaded capture.

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