Genocide in Rwanda By Thomas Jackson Dec 24, 1885 Germany controls Rwanda Period: Dec 24, 1885 to Dec 25, 2000 A Dec 24, 1919 Belgium gains control of Rwanda Dec 24, 1962 Rwanda gains independence Dec 24, 1978 apology from president Clinton Dec 24, 1991 civil war begins Dec 24, 1994 genocide Dec 24, 1994 RPF ends the genocide Dec 24, 1997 war crimes trials begin Dec 24, 1998 26 defendents executed Dec 24, 2000 gacaca courts to be set up