From Tragedy to Triumph in the Land of a Thousand Hills

Rwanda has a long history, with evidence of human settlement dating back thousands of years. The Twa people were likely the first inhabitants, followed by the Hutu and Tutsi, who arrived later. These ethnic groups shared a common language and culture but had distinct social structures.

Before the arrival of European colonisers, Rwanda was home to a dynamic set of pre-colonial kingdoms, the most notable being the Kingdom of Rwanda. This era, characterised by a centralised monarchy, social stratification, and a strong sense of cultural identity, laid the foundation for Rwanda’s socio-political landscape. The Tutsi, Hutu, and Twa ethnic groups coexisted within a hierarchical structure, with the Tutsi elite holding positions of power.

The Kingdom of Rwanda, with its well-organised social system and efficient administration, thrived for centuries. The monarchy played a crucial role in maintaining order, and the people engaged in activities such as agriculture, cattle herding, and trade. 

The late 19th century witnessed the scramble for Africa, and Rwanda became a casualty of the imperial powers’ territorial ambitions. The Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 resulted in the arbitrary division of Africa among European powers, with little regard for ethnic, cultural, or historical boundaries. Germany took control of Rwanda, introducing colonial rule that would significantly impact the region.

Colonialism ushered in a period of social engineering, with the colonisers favouring the Tutsi elite, exacerbating existing ethnic tensions. The Belgian administration, which took control after World War I, deepened these divisions through the implementation of identity cards that rigidly classified individuals as Tutsi, Hutu, or Twa. This divisive strategy sowed the seeds for the tragic events of 1994 — the Rwandan Genocide.

Rwanda gained independence from Belgium in 1962. However, the legacy of colonialism persisted, leaving behind a deeply divided society. In the aftermath of independence, Rwanda struggled with political instability and social unrest. The Hutu majority, historically marginalized during the colonial era, sought to assert their power. The ensuing power struggles and political manoeuvring created an atmosphere of volatility.

By the late 1980s, the country faced economic challenges, political corruption, and a growing number of refugees, including Tutsis, who had fled earlier ethnic violence. These factors contributed to the complex socio-political landscape that ultimately erupted into one of the darkest chapters in Rwandan history.

In 1994, long-standing ethnic tensions between the Hutu majority and Tutsi minority erupted into violence on an unprecedented scale. The trigger for the genocide was the assassination of President Juvénal Habyarimana, a Hutu, in a plane crash on April 6, 1994. This event catalysed an orchestrated campaign of mass killings, primarily targeting the Tutsi population.

In a horrifyingly short span of 100 days, from April to July 1994, extremist Hutu militias, along with elements of the Rwandan military, systematically executed an estimated 800,000 to 1 million people, predominantly Tutsis. The brutality of the genocide was marked by the use of machetes, firearms, and other means to perpetrate widespread massacres.

The international community faced criticism for failing to intervene promptly to prevent the unfolding catastrophe. Despite mounting evidence of the scale of violence, the response was marred by hesitancy, political considerations, and a lack of coordinated action.