Ethnic tensions: Rwanda is home to two main ethnic groups, the Hutus and the Tutsis. Historically, the Tutsis were the dominant group, controlling the government and holding the majority of the land. However, the Hutus made up the majority of the population and had long felt resentment toward the Tutsis.
Political instability: Rwanda had a history of political instability, including a series of coups and civil wars. This created an environment in which violence was normalized and people were more likely to turn to extreme measures to achieve their goals.
Economic inequality: The Hutu and Tutsi communities were also divided economically, with the Tutsis generally being wealthier than the Hutus. This further fueled resentment among the Hutus and made them more susceptible to propaganda that portrayed the Tutsis as exploiting them.
Hate speech: In the lead-up to the genocide, Rwandan media outlets, including the government-controlled Radio Télévision Libre des Mille Collines (RTLM), broadcast hate speech that demonized the Tutsis and encouraged violence against them. This propaganda played a significant role in inciting the genocide.
