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Belgian Colonization of Rwanda
Belgians give Tutsi ethnic group preferential treatment over Rwanda's other major ethnic group, the Hutus -
Independence of Rwanda
Hutus gain power, blame Tutsis for all domestic problems. Hutus begin killing off Tutsis by the thousands. Tutsi refugees begin to flee. -
Period: to
Government-sponsored massacres of Tutsis begin
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Assassination of Rwandan President
Both ethnic groups blame each other, though Hutu extremists are likely behind the act. Rwandan army and Hutu militias begin targeting Tutsis and moderate Hutus. Government propaganda promises food and incentives in exchange for violence -
Genocide?
Western countries refuse to use the word "genocide" to describe the situation in Rwanda, for fear it will obligate them to intervene -
July, 1994
Over 800,000 dead in a 3-month period. Tutsis retake Rwandan capital Kigali and Hutu government flees to Zaire (current day Democratic Republic of the Congo) -
The West turns its back on Rwanda
UN pulls all troops and Western nations evacuate all citizens, but will not take any of the 500,000 refugees. -
Apologies
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and US President Bill Clinton apologize to the Rwandan people for their inaction. Today, no reference to ethnicity is on Rwandan ID cards and many refugees are finally returning home.
