The Genocide Against the Tutsi
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Brief history of the Rwandan Genocide
Hyppolite Ntigurirwa survived the genocide when he was 7. He was among children whom killers enslaved as they waited to kill them. He witnessed the massacre of his father, some of his relatives, neighbours and friends. Now, he gets up in the morning to spread forgiveness, love and peace.
The history of Rwanda is too complex to fairly tell in such brief document. Nevertheless, it is essential that we recommend you to read something of the background to Rwandan history and Genocide Against the Tutsi. You should start with the relevant section from the latest Lonely Planet or Bradt Guide. This skimsthrough some very important situations, but will give you an idea of where you are coming to.
In the attempt to tell the story of the Genocide Against the Tutsi, there have been different publications done. Regrettably there are not yet very many balanced and non-sensational recent books about Rwanda. Hence we would recommend: When Victims Become Killers by Mohamood Mamdani 2001 for a The Rwanda Crisis by Gerard Prunier for a considerate and sensitive historical and political perspective of events leading up to the genocide; We Wish to Inform You that Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families by Philip Gorevitch, for a more ‘readable’ book about the people and issues directly relating to the Genocide, and Linda Melvern’s A People Betrayed for a thoughtful description of the genocide and the role of the West in the genocide. These may provide an essential background; yet, there is need for balancing with the sense of the progress that Rwanda has made since 1994.
Twenty-five years after the genocide, Rwanda has made significant progress towards reconciliation, economic development and forgiveness. Rwanda has also played a key role, with its neighbours, in the development of the East Africa Community. It has also recovered peace and stability and is now widely seen as a model of stability and good governance in the region and on continent.
For your own information, you may find the following websites helpful: