1. Historical Tensions:
- Rwanda's history was marked by divisions between the majority Hutu population and the minority Tutsi population. These divisions had existed for centuries and were rooted in social, economic, and political differences.
2. Political Factors:
- The assassination of President Juvenal Habyarimana, a Hutu, on April 6, 1994, was a significant trigger for the genocide. The assassination led to widespread violence and accusations that the Tutsi population was responsible.
- The Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), a Tutsi-led rebel group, and the Hutu-dominated government had been involved in a civil war since 1990. This conflict contributed to the existing tensions and divisions within the country.
3. Hate Propaganda and Incitement:
- The media, particularly the infamous Radio Télévision Libre des Mille Collines (RTLM), played a significant role in spreading hate propaganda and inciting violence. RTLM and other media outlets broadcast inflammatory messages that dehumanized the Tutsi population and encouraged Hutu civilians to take up arms against them.
4. Failure of International Community:
- Despite warnings and evidence of the impending genocide, the international community failed to intervene effectively to prevent the mass killings. The United Nations peacekeeping force (UNAMIR) present in Rwanda was under-resourced and lacked the mandate to use force to protect civilians.
5. Complicity of Local Authorities and Militias:
- The Rwandan genocide was carried out by ordinary citizens who were often mobilized and armed by local authorities and militias. The Interahamwe, a Hutu extremist militia, played a key role in organizing and executing the killings.
6. Lack of Unity and Resistance:
- The Tutsi population was generally unprepared and lacked the means to defend themselves effectively. There was also a lack of unity among Hutu moderates who opposed the genocide.
The Rwandan genocide was a culmination of long-standing tensions, historical grievances, political instability, and the failure of the international community to intervene effectively. It serves as a tragic reminder of the consequences of unchecked hatred, discrimination, and violence.
