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President Juvénal Habyarimana's plane shot down
His plane falls near Kigali Airport, killing him and the Burundian president. This event triggers the start of the genocide. -
Mass killings begin
Targeting Tutsis and some Hutus -
Period: to
RPF renews its offensive
The RPF renews its offensive to stop the killings and rescue the Tutsi. -
UN reduces peacekeeping force
UN reduces peacekeeping force from 2,500 to 270 troops despite ongoing massacres. -
Churches and schools become massacre sites
Churches and schools become massacre sites as people seek refuge. The international community largely avoids calling it "genocide." -
UN tries to send 5,500 additional troops
UN agrees to send 5,500 additional troops, but deployment is delayed. -
France launches Operation Turquoise
France launches Operation Turquoise, a UN-approved humanitarian mission. Critics say it creates a safe zone that also shelters genocidaires. -
RPF captures Kigali
RPF captures Kigali, effectively ending the genocide. -
RPF declares victory
RPF declares victory; a new government is formed with Pasteur Bizimungu as president and Paul Kagame as vice president.