Rwandan Genocide

Warning

Jan 8, 1994

Romeo Dallaire sends warning to the UN of an impending genocide. It contains information from an informant about weapon caches & death lists.

preparation

Feb 5, 1994

Thousands of weapons, such as machetes, are imported, paid for by the French government.

It begins

Apr 6, 1994

President Habyarimana dies when his plane is shot down over Kigali as it returns from talks with the RPF in Tanzania. Eye witnesses place French soldiers as being the culprits of this act.

The Rwandan Prime Minister is killed.

Apr 7, 1994

Prime Minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana and 10 Belgian soldiers guarding her are butchered by Hutu forces. Rwandan troops and the Hutu Interahamwe militia start the slaughter of Tutsis and moderate Hutus whose names have been put on death lists. In Kibeho thousands of Tutsis gathered in a church where they were bombed, shot, or hacked to death.

Kambanda incites hate

Apr 8, 1994

Jean Kambanda is appointed interim Prime Minister. On a radio broadcast, shortly afterwards, he urges hutus to kill Tutsis & moderate Hutus.

UN troops leave

Apr 11, 1994

The Belgians withdraw their troops.

Expatriates leave Rwanda

Apr 12, 1994

Expatriates are evacuated en masse by government troops. Fewer than 30 white people were left in the country.

Nyange church

Apr 14, 1994

Tutsi refugees gathered in Nyange church, were burned to death or killed as they tried to flee. Approximately 2000 people were killed.

Kibuye Stadium

Apr 16, 1994

About 12,000 Tutsi men, women and children were murdered at Kibuye's stadium, church and in the surrounding countryside.

Butare

Apr 22, 1994

In Butare, gasoline was used to set ablaze a builidng where 500 Tutsis were hiding.

RPF takes Kigali

Jul 4, 1994

Hutus flee

Jul 12, 1994

Hundereds of thousands of Hutu's involved in the slaughter of friends and neighbours, flee the country as their defeat seems imminent.

RPF capture Ruhengeri

Jul 13, 1994

Paul Kagame takes leadership

Jul 17, 1994

Genocide is over

Jul 19, 1994