Rwandan Genocide

The Rwandan Genocide was a mass slaughter in Rwanda over about 100 days in April–July 1994, targeting ethnic Tutsi and some politically moderate Hutu.

The Rwandan Genocide was a mass slaughter in Rwanda over about 100 days in April–July 1994, targeting ethnic Tutsi and some politically moderate Hutu. Estimates of the death toll vary widely, with many sources placing it at about 800,000 and some scholarly estimates lower or higher. It is widely recognized as a genocide and one of the worst mass atrocities of the 20th century.

Background

Ethnic tensions between Hutu and Tutsi communities had deep historical roots in Rwanda, and political conflict intensified in the early 1990s during civil war. Extremist propaganda helped prepare and justify mass violence against Tutsi and perceived opponents.

Course of the genocide

After the April 1994 plane crash, coordinated killings spread rapidly across Rwanda. The violence included mass murder, roadblocks, militias, local participation, and widespread sexual violence. The shooting down of President Juvénal Habyarimana’s plane on 6 April 1994 is considered the trigger event.

Casualties and displacement

Most sources estimate hundreds of thousands of deaths, with many citing around 800,000. Large numbers of people were displaced within Rwanda and across borders, creating a major refugee crisis. The genocide was carried out with involvement from state authorities, militias, and civilian participants.

Aftermath and justice

The Rwandan Patriotic Front took control of the country and the killings ended in July 1994. Later accountability efforts included the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and domestic prosecutions. International actors and UN peacekeepers were widely criticized for failing to prevent or stop the violence.