The Rwandan Genocide: Roots, Horror, and the Pursuit of Justice

 For 100 days in 1994, Rwanda endured a brutal genocide that claimed the lives of over 800,000 people—more than one-tenth of the population. Neighbors turned on neighbors in an eruption of violence that had its roots in colonial rule. A century earlier, German and Belgian colonizers had reinforced divisions among Rwanda's three main ethnic groups: the majority Hutu, the minority Tutsi, and the smaller Twa. They framed Tutsi as elite rulers and Hutu as ordinary farmers, creating resentment that lingered long after colonial powers withdrew.

In 1959, a Hutu revolt forced many Tutsi leaders to flee, and Rwanda transitioned to an independent republic with a Hutu-dominated government. Excluded from power, the Tutsi minority faced discrimination and were barred from returning to the country. This inequality fueled tensions, culminating in a civil war in 1990 when Tutsi insurgents invaded Rwanda. Although the conflict ended with a peace accord in 1993, political divisions deepened.

The genocide began in April 1994 after the plane carrying Rwanda's Hutu president was shot down. Hutu extremists launched a premeditated campaign of violence, targeting Tutsi civilians and moderate Hutus. Over three months, government-backed militias and coerced civilians committed atrocities, while the international community largely stood by. The slaughter ended in July when the Tutsi-led Rwandan Patriotic Front seized control of the country.

After the genocide, Rwanda faced the immense challenge of delivering justice. The United Nations established a special tribunal, but with 120,000 accused awaiting trial, it was clear conventional courts couldn’t handle the volume. Rwanda turned to gacaca, a traditional conflict resolution system adapted for genocide cases. Between 2002 and 2012, these community-based courts tried 1.7 million individuals. Though gacaca expedited justice, it faced criticism for its lack of legal rigor and its focus on Tutsi victims, leaving Hutu casualties largely unacknowledged.

For many, the trials brought closure and a measure of dignity for victims. For others, they were a prolonged reminder of a painful past. Today, Rwanda continues to navigate the complex legacy of the genocide, striving for reconciliation and unity while confronting the scars of its history.