Shawn Moore

Genocide in Rwanda

Shawn Moore

Jr. Morality

5/1/07

In Rwanda, there has been dispute between the Tutsi and Hutu people. The Tutsi were classified as tall and thin, with a long nose and were usually cattle herder. The Hutus were classified more as shorter, flat-nosed, and were usually crop growers. In the 1500s, the Tutsis created a monarchy ruled by the Mwami[1] and a feudal hierarchy of nobles and gentry. The Tutsis set up the Ubuhake contract with the Hutus stating that the Hutus will serve the Tutsis and will receive cattle in return. After World War I, the League of Nations sanctioned that Rwanda was Belgium Territory. After World War II, Rwanda became UN trust territory with Rwanda as Administration Authority. Belgium wanted reform in the government to be more democratic, but the Tutsis resisted because this would be a threat to their rule in Rwanda. The Belgium military encouraged, among the Hutus, to start a revolt. After the revolt, over 160,000 Tutsis left Rwanda. On Novemeber 1959, the Hutus overthrew the Tutsi’s rule. In 1961, the PARMEHUTU[2] was developed and Rwanda later received independence from Belgium rule by the UN on July 1, 1962.

On October 1, 1990, the Tutsis who were exiled after the revolt in the 50s formed the RPF[3] in Uganda and invaded Rwanda. They claimed that the government failed in bringing back together and helping out the Tutsis that were exiled during the revolt. They fought each other until a cease-fire was signed in July 1992. They were at peace until on April 6, 1994, President Habyarimana’s and the President of Burundi’s plane was shot down, killing them both. After the Incident, the Interhamwe[4] started killing off Tutsis and political moderates. The genocide lasted until January killing up to 800,000 people.

The RPF was also attacked by the Interhamwe, but they were able to fight their way out. They continued their war against Rwanda and were able to overthrow the Rwandan Army. The RPF took control of Kigali on July 4, 1994 and the war was ended on July 16, 1994. This time of Genocide was a horrific time in Rwanda, but some have tried to make the situation better for people in Rwanda.

Paul Rusesabagina, owner of the Hotel des Milles Collines, risked his life to allow persecuted people in Rwanda to live in safety. The movie Hotel Rwanda is based off of his story. Paul took in up to 1,200 people in his hotel as a relief from the genocide. The UN peacekeeping withdrew from Rwanda, but Rusesabagina continued to provide a safe place for people being persecuted. When Rusesabagina was asked why he continued to help people, despite the lack of help from others including their own political leaders, he said that he “remained who (he) was. (Paul) listened to his conscience.” (21) [5] He said that he saw people he called “good friends, on that very first day of the genocide, in military uniforms, with machetes, with guns. Intellectuals, prominent business men, all of those people you could take as gentlemen. It disappointed me.” (21) Even though people he knew were participating in the genocide, he acted off his conscience and protected the lives of innocent victims of the genocide. Paul Rusesabagina later received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for helping the people in Rwanda

After the Genocide, 100,000 men were arrested, but only 5000 were tried. Some were released from prison because they confessed that they participated in the Genocide.

Bibliography

· “The Real Hero of Hotel Rwanda” U. S. Catholic. Feb. 2006: p18-21.

·                    “Background note: Rwanda” Background note on countries of the World. Mar. 2007: p1-8

·                    “The ‘Jews’ of Africa.” Economist. 21 August 2004: p37-39

·                    Jefremovas, Villia. “Act of Kindness: Tutsis, Hutus and Genocide” Issue: A Journal of Opinion. 1995: pp. 28-31