Freedom of Sorts

                Rwanda in their brief colonial history was never a rebellious nation; the inner turmoil brewing was enough to keep occupied. When Rwanda joined other African nations demanding for independence, their situation was complicated by the growing tension between the Hutu and Tutsi. The Hutu, who comprised the population majority, were determined to gain control of the country, and the Tutsi’s power was quickly fading away.(7) When independence was granted in July of 1962, violence and the struggle of a nation were clearly to follow suit.

                The Belgian’s were already losing influence before the wave of independence struck the long troubled nation. The determined Hutu were going to great lengths to accomplish their goal of gaining control of the country, “…in 1959 when a Hutu sub chief was beaten by a gang of Tutsi, Hutu gangs retaliated and rampaged through the street. Several hundred people were killed before Belgian authorities restored order.”(8) The UN then declared the only way for future success was of a unified Rwanda-Burundi state. (9) However, In April 1962 both Nations decided that it was impossible due to long standing historical antagonism between their two republics. (10) On June 27, 1962 the UN General Assembly voted to terminate the Belgian trusteeship, and shortly thereafter Rwanda gained its independence.

                Gregoire Kayibanda became the new country’s first president (a Hutu), a new constitution was ratified, and reconciliation seemed not far ahead. However, the ethnic violence continued on, escalating to higher and higher lengths due to the removal of Belgian supervision. In 1963, Tutsi harbored in surrounding countries attempted to invade Rwanda, were repelled, and as consequence, over 12,000 Tutsi were massacred by the Hutu. (11) In addition to the violence, Tutsi people were only allowed 9 percent of jobs, school positions, and government appointments, as recompense for all the years of Tutsi dominance.(12) Kayibanda reigned until 1973 until he was overthrown by General Juvenal Habyarimana, who was just as corrupt and brutal toward the Tutsi. From here the Hutu continued to gain a near monopoly on power, and the situation for the Tutsi minority kept getting graver and graver.

                The Hutu were essentially given the country and power without the UN first truly assessing the social tension that was escalating ever so steadily. It was like giving an upset child a loaded gun, saying “take care now son,” and walking away. Without UN oversight, the Hutu immediately took control of the country and used their fury towards the Tutsi to fuel their decisions. The Tutsi minority had near no protection, no options other than to flee, and largely were at the mercy of their brutal new overlords.