Abstract

The Rwandan Genocide was a tragic event that occurred in 1994 in which an estimated 800,000 people were killed in a span of 100 days. The genocide was primarily targeted against the Tutsi ethnic group, but moderate Hutus were also targeted. This research article seeks to examine the causes, consequences, and lessons learned from the Rwandan Genocide. The causes of the genocide can be traced back to colonialism and the arbitrary division of Rwandans into ethnic groups by the Belgian colonial administration. The colonial administration also favored the Tutsi minority over the majority Hutu population, which sowed the seeds of resentment and led to the marginalization of the Hutus. This marginalization continued after Rwanda gained independence, with the Tutsi-dominated government oppressing the Hutus. The consequences of the genocide were devastating. The death toll was enormous, and the country was left in a state of chaos and disarray. Many of the hundreds of thousands of refugees who departed the nation were left homeless and in need. Several people argued that early involvement may have stopped the worst of the bloodshed, criticising the international community for its tardy response to the situation. Many lessons may be drawn from the Rwandan Genocide. The need of early involvement in preventing mass massacres is one crucial lesson. When the world community acted too slowly, the genocide was permitted to go on. In conclusion, the Rwandan Genocide was a tragic event that had far-reaching consequences. The causes of the genocide were complex and deeply rooted in history, but the consequences were immediate and devastating. The lessons learned from the genocide are important and should guide international efforts to prevent and resolve conflicts in the future.

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