The 1990 invasion and genocide in Rwanda.
The
long standing friction between the Tutsi and Hutu caused the 1990
invasion. Historically, the two peoples had never been friendly. So,
the 1990 invasion reflected a continuity of the historical animosity
between the Tutsi and Hutu.
The change in Belgian policy whereby they groomed the Hutu for leadership annoyed the Tutsi. The Tutsi were completely opposed to the Provisional government of 1960, they opposed the 1961 referendum and the transfer of power into the hands of the Hutu in July 1962. This prepared the ground for the future invasion of Rwanda by the Tutsi.
The rise of charismatic Tutsi leaders. These included Fred Rwigyema (in picture above), Paul Kagame, Bunyenyezi and others. These were intelligent and brave military officers with powers of speech, mobilization and mastery of the battle field. They led fellow Rwandese back home in 1990.
The desire to revenge against the Hutu. The Tutsi living in exile had never forgotten how the Hutu murdered the Tutsi in 1963 and early 1964 after the failure of the Cockroach guerrillas. After the defeat of the Cockroach rebels from Burundi, the Hutu government had declared a state of emergency, rounded up and shot Tutsi leaders and appealed to all Hutu to cater for their own security. This led to killings of thousands of Tutsi while others fled into exile and organised to over throw the Hutu government-hence the 1990 invasion.
The cultural arrogance of the Tutsi. Though in exile, the Tutsi believed that they were the God-chosen leaders of Rwanda. Though their attempts to return to Rwanda in 1963 was foiled , still they harboured feelings of superiority over the Hutu. Hence the 1990 invasion to re-assert their supremacy.
The social-economic hardships faced by the Tutsi in exile forced them to form the Rwanda Patriotic front so as to return home. While in exile, they were abused as foreigners and forced to do undignified jobs like cleaning toilets. When they got fed up of social discrimination, they opted to return home. They had suffered poverty, discrimination, disease, rape and death in refugee camps.
President Habyarimanaa ccepting power sharing with the
Tutsi in Arusha after pressure from RPF
Habyarimana's dictatorship. At first the Hutu revolution promised reconciliation but later developed suspicions towards the Tutsi. The Hutu government failed to organise democratic elections, censored the press etc.. So, the Tutsi claimed that they invaded Rwanda in order to introduce democratic rule.
Harassment by host countries. With time, the governments of East Africa developed negative attitudes towards the Tutsi refugees e.g in 1981-1982, the government of Obote II tried to repatriate the Tutsi back home-calling them a security risk. This actually drove a number of Tutsi youths into the hands of the NRA. In Zaire/Congo, the hardworking and rich Rwandese were accused of enjoying the country's wealth. All these made the Tutsi fed up and to mobilise themselves to return home.
The Hutu attempt to block the return of the Tutsi also contributed to their invasion of Rwanda in 1990. At a time when the Tutsi were being harassed in Uganda and Congo, the international community appealed to Habyarimana to allow them return to Rwanda. However, Habyarimana resorted to a closed door policy and prevented the Tutsi from returning home on the excuse that Rwanda was too small to accommodate them. The only option left was a forceful return.
Habyarimana talking with Yoweri Museveni after the Arusha accord.
The influence of the NRM in Uganda. During the 1981-1986 bush war in Luwero triangle a number of Tutsi joined the National Resistance Army to escape Obote's persecution. This exposed them to military science and modem arms . This influenced them to fight the dictatorial Hutu government in Kigali. It is believed that during the NRA bush war, the NRM leadership promised to assist the Tutsi in a future struggle to return home. This, too, inspired them to invade Rwanda in 1990.
Super power influence. Both USA and Britain provided military training and supplied arms to the Tutsi guerrillas, e.g strong man Paul Kagame was U.S. trained.
The success of the NRM revolution boosted the morale of the RPF. Four years after the victory of the NRA, the National Resistance movement government had brought about several social and economic reforms. This inspired the Tutsi, some of whom served in NRM government, to return home and model their country's politics along the lines of the NRM. If they had contributed to NRA/NRM's success, why not do it in their motherland?
Marching on the red carpet with Yoweri Museveni to avoid the crisis. Habyarimana's helicopter was shot by a surface to air misile before landing at the airport.
The abrupt death of Habyarimana in April 1994 in an aeroplane crash created a political vacuum which gave the RPF chance to intensify the struggle against the Hutu government in Kigali. Shortly after, the RPF took over Kigali.
The 1994 genocide won RPF international support. After the assassination of Habyarimana on 6th April 1994, Hutu extremists started exterminating Tutsi's and their Hutu sympathizers. This led to the death of about 1 million Rwandese. This made the RPF to legitimise their struggle by claiming that they wanted to return sanity in Rwanda. They got sympathy from all over the world.
The change in Belgian policy whereby they groomed the Hutu for leadership annoyed the Tutsi. The Tutsi were completely opposed to the Provisional government of 1960, they opposed the 1961 referendum and the transfer of power into the hands of the Hutu in July 1962. This prepared the ground for the future invasion of Rwanda by the Tutsi.
The rise of charismatic Tutsi leaders. These included Fred Rwigyema (in picture above), Paul Kagame, Bunyenyezi and others. These were intelligent and brave military officers with powers of speech, mobilization and mastery of the battle field. They led fellow Rwandese back home in 1990.
The desire to revenge against the Hutu. The Tutsi living in exile had never forgotten how the Hutu murdered the Tutsi in 1963 and early 1964 after the failure of the Cockroach guerrillas. After the defeat of the Cockroach rebels from Burundi, the Hutu government had declared a state of emergency, rounded up and shot Tutsi leaders and appealed to all Hutu to cater for their own security. This led to killings of thousands of Tutsi while others fled into exile and organised to over throw the Hutu government-hence the 1990 invasion.
The cultural arrogance of the Tutsi. Though in exile, the Tutsi believed that they were the God-chosen leaders of Rwanda. Though their attempts to return to Rwanda in 1963 was foiled , still they harboured feelings of superiority over the Hutu. Hence the 1990 invasion to re-assert their supremacy.
The social-economic hardships faced by the Tutsi in exile forced them to form the Rwanda Patriotic front so as to return home. While in exile, they were abused as foreigners and forced to do undignified jobs like cleaning toilets. When they got fed up of social discrimination, they opted to return home. They had suffered poverty, discrimination, disease, rape and death in refugee camps.
President Habyarimanaa ccepting power sharing with the
Tutsi in Arusha after pressure from RPF
Habyarimana's dictatorship. At first the Hutu revolution promised reconciliation but later developed suspicions towards the Tutsi. The Hutu government failed to organise democratic elections, censored the press etc.. So, the Tutsi claimed that they invaded Rwanda in order to introduce democratic rule.
Harassment by host countries. With time, the governments of East Africa developed negative attitudes towards the Tutsi refugees e.g in 1981-1982, the government of Obote II tried to repatriate the Tutsi back home-calling them a security risk. This actually drove a number of Tutsi youths into the hands of the NRA. In Zaire/Congo, the hardworking and rich Rwandese were accused of enjoying the country's wealth. All these made the Tutsi fed up and to mobilise themselves to return home.
The Hutu attempt to block the return of the Tutsi also contributed to their invasion of Rwanda in 1990. At a time when the Tutsi were being harassed in Uganda and Congo, the international community appealed to Habyarimana to allow them return to Rwanda. However, Habyarimana resorted to a closed door policy and prevented the Tutsi from returning home on the excuse that Rwanda was too small to accommodate them. The only option left was a forceful return.
Habyarimana talking with Yoweri Museveni after the Arusha accord.
The influence of the NRM in Uganda. During the 1981-1986 bush war in Luwero triangle a number of Tutsi joined the National Resistance Army to escape Obote's persecution. This exposed them to military science and modem arms . This influenced them to fight the dictatorial Hutu government in Kigali. It is believed that during the NRA bush war, the NRM leadership promised to assist the Tutsi in a future struggle to return home. This, too, inspired them to invade Rwanda in 1990.
Super power influence. Both USA and Britain provided military training and supplied arms to the Tutsi guerrillas, e.g strong man Paul Kagame was U.S. trained.
The success of the NRM revolution boosted the morale of the RPF. Four years after the victory of the NRA, the National Resistance movement government had brought about several social and economic reforms. This inspired the Tutsi, some of whom served in NRM government, to return home and model their country's politics along the lines of the NRM. If they had contributed to NRA/NRM's success, why not do it in their motherland?
Marching on the red carpet with Yoweri Museveni to avoid the crisis. Habyarimana's helicopter was shot by a surface to air misile before landing at the airport.
The abrupt death of Habyarimana in April 1994 in an aeroplane crash created a political vacuum which gave the RPF chance to intensify the struggle against the Hutu government in Kigali. Shortly after, the RPF took over Kigali.
The 1994 genocide won RPF international support. After the assassination of Habyarimana on 6th April 1994, Hutu extremists started exterminating Tutsi's and their Hutu sympathizers. This led to the death of about 1 million Rwandese. This made the RPF to legitimise their struggle by claiming that they wanted to return sanity in Rwanda. They got sympathy from all over the world.
National Movements and New States in Africa