mardi 20 février 2007
dimanche 18 février 2007
INTRODUCTION OF THE RWANDAN HISTORY
RWANDA is a small land locked country located in centre part of AFRICA sharing borders with UGANDA in the north, BURUNDI in the south, TANZANIA in the east and DRC in the west.
LOCATION
The region in which RWANDA reside is commonly known as the great lakes region, Rwanda has a population of around 8.6 million implying that it’s the most populated country in Africa , its located between altitude of 1° south and 3° south of the equator and between 29°east and 31°east of the Greenwich meridian
RWANDA FEATURES
Rwanda is commonly referred as country of thousand hills because of it’s beautiful scenery (natural beautiful of the landscape) its well known for having mountain gorillas which are not common almost on the continent of Africa, not forgetting that recently it was found that it is the source of the longest river in Africa (River .NILE)
BACK HISTORY OF RWANDA
Rwanda dates to the days before coming of the colonial masters it was ruled by kings known as ABAMI, the official language of Rwanda is known as KINYARWANDA, and it’s the only language spoken by the three tribal groups. Namely;
1. TUSTI
2. HUTU
3. TWA. Who are the minority
Before the occupation of Rwanda by its first occupants the land was covered with trees and grass. The Twa are said to have been mostly found in the central of African forests. The HUTU are the second to settle in Rwanda, they are believed to have come from Cameroun around Lake Chad. In Rwanda they settled in the western side of Rwanda. Finally came the TUSTI who are said to have originated form north east part of Africa in the Ethiopian highlands and Sudan they settled in the west of Lake Muhazi.
The Hutu group of people is the largest group in Rwanda and they were mainly farmers .The tusti are the cattle keepers and they came in Rwanda looking for pasture and water for their animals. The TWA are the smallest group and they were mainly iron smelters.
The Tusti group of people dominated in terms of leadership and was the ruling group; all the kings were selected from this group before the coming of colonial masters. The kings of Rwanda were selected from the clan known as the banyiginya.There was an organized forum of succession and a king would be succeeded by his son only.
FOUNDATION OF RWANDA
Rwanda was founded by the king known as Gihanga who started his dynasty from a place called Gasabo near lake muhazi in the western part of Rwanda.Gihanga organized his small state politically well that he expended it and called it Rwanda meaning a big place since he had annexed many different areas. Before he died Gihanga had organized his state and all the in habitants respected only one leader whom they called Umwami which came from the verb Kwama meaning being popular
After the death of Gihanga, he was replaced by king Kigeli 1 Muhabanya who expanded the small state Gasabo a vast kingdom. It started to disintegrate due to succession disputes, the kings that followed the succession were: Ruganzu Burimbi who ruled from 1312 to 1345 ac ,Cyirima 1 Rugwe ruling from 1345 to 1378,kigeli 2 Mukobanyi Yuhi ,Mibambwe 1 Sekarango ,Ndahiro Cyahintare ,ruganzu and many more later followed by the coming of Germany colonialist
RELIGION
The Banyarwanda believed in one God known by different names for example; Rurema, Gihanga, Rugina, were the names given to God.
There different religions in Rwanda such as Protestants, catholics, Islam among others.
Rwanda stable foods are potatoes and bananas are also eaten by same people .Agriculture is mainly carried out by the Hutu group of people .Rwanda chief export is coffee.
RWANDA is a small land locked country located in centre part of AFRICA sharing borders with UGANDA in the north, BURUNDI in the south, TANZANIA in the east and DRC in the west.
LOCATION
The region in which RWANDA reside is commonly known as the great lakes region, Rwanda has a population of around 8.6 million implying that it’s the most populated country in Africa , its located between altitude of 1° south and 3° south of the equator and between 29°east and 31°east of the Greenwich meridian
RWANDA FEATURES
Rwanda is commonly referred as country of thousand hills because of it’s beautiful scenery (natural beautiful of the landscape) its well known for having mountain gorillas which are not common almost on the continent of Africa, not forgetting that recently it was found that it is the source of the longest river in Africa (River .NILE)
BACK HISTORY OF RWANDA
Rwanda dates to the days before coming of the colonial masters it was ruled by kings known as ABAMI, the official language of Rwanda is known as KINYARWANDA, and it’s the only language spoken by the three tribal groups. Namely;
1. TUSTI
2. HUTU
3. TWA. Who are the minority
Before the occupation of Rwanda by its first occupants the land was covered with trees and grass. The Twa are said to have been mostly found in the central of African forests. The HUTU are the second to settle in Rwanda, they are believed to have come from Cameroun around Lake Chad. In Rwanda they settled in the western side of Rwanda. Finally came the TUSTI who are said to have originated form north east part of Africa in the Ethiopian highlands and Sudan they settled in the west of Lake Muhazi.
The Hutu group of people is the largest group in Rwanda and they were mainly farmers .The tusti are the cattle keepers and they came in Rwanda looking for pasture and water for their animals. The TWA are the smallest group and they were mainly iron smelters.
The Tusti group of people dominated in terms of leadership and was the ruling group; all the kings were selected from this group before the coming of colonial masters. The kings of Rwanda were selected from the clan known as the banyiginya.There was an organized forum of succession and a king would be succeeded by his son only.
FOUNDATION OF RWANDA
Rwanda was founded by the king known as Gihanga who started his dynasty from a place called Gasabo near lake muhazi in the western part of Rwanda.Gihanga organized his small state politically well that he expended it and called it Rwanda meaning a big place since he had annexed many different areas. Before he died Gihanga had organized his state and all the in habitants respected only one leader whom they called Umwami which came from the verb Kwama meaning being popular
After the death of Gihanga, he was replaced by king Kigeli 1 Muhabanya who expanded the small state Gasabo a vast kingdom. It started to disintegrate due to succession disputes, the kings that followed the succession were: Ruganzu Burimbi who ruled from 1312 to 1345 ac ,Cyirima 1 Rugwe ruling from 1345 to 1378,kigeli 2 Mukobanyi Yuhi ,Mibambwe 1 Sekarango ,Ndahiro Cyahintare ,ruganzu and many more later followed by the coming of Germany colonialist
RELIGION
The Banyarwanda believed in one God known by different names for example; Rurema, Gihanga, Rugina, were the names given to God.
There different religions in Rwanda such as Protestants, catholics, Islam among others.
Rwanda stable foods are potatoes and bananas are also eaten by same people .Agriculture is mainly carried out by the Hutu group of people .Rwanda chief export is coffee.
EUROPEANS IN RWANDA.
King Rudahigwa. One of the Rwandan heroes. Killed 1959 by the belgians, after resisting them.EUROPEANS IN RWANDA
The first European to step on the land of a thousand hills was a German in 1832 .They went on to colonies Rwanda until the end of the First World War when all colonies were taken from German as a punishment .Rwanda was given to Belgium as her next colonial master at least there was a change of fortune as the Belgians were far better than the Germans who were very cruel in their administration.
The second colonial masters of Rwanda found Rwandese under the guardianship of king kigeli Rwabugiri 2 .The Belgians how ever sowed seeds of divisionism among Rwandans who were united under the one king . It was not long before the three groups started differentiating themselves basing on height, the size of the nose ,and occupation .The Tusti group were tall and thin while the Hutu were short and had a big nose compared to the Tutsi’s which is small.
Indirect rule was used as a means of administration by the Belgians as was around Africa by other colonial masters. kings and chiefs were used by the Belgians to do what they wanted like if they needed slaves they would use chiefs to look for them in return were given gifts like clothes and jewelers .But one memorable man is remembered in the history of Rwanda for resisting the colonial rule and that was king RUDAHIGWA who was killed by the Belgians opposing him.
Belgians took Rwanda through the 1962 independence though as a by the way since they still controlled the political affair of the country.
KAYIBANDA GREGORIE was elected the first president of Rwanda and he was a HUTU since they were being sided by the Belgians and this caused the TUTSI group to resist the colonial rule under king RUDAHINGWA.
Secondly Belgians supported the Hutu’s because they were the majority and thus used them to oppress the other groups.
The second colonial masters of Rwanda found Rwandese under the guardianship of king kigeli Rwabugiri 2 .The Belgians how ever sowed seeds of divisionism among Rwandans who were united under the one king . It was not long before the three groups started differentiating themselves basing on height, the size of the nose ,and occupation .The Tusti group were tall and thin while the Hutu were short and had a big nose compared to the Tutsi’s which is small.
Indirect rule was used as a means of administration by the Belgians as was around Africa by other colonial masters. kings and chiefs were used by the Belgians to do what they wanted like if they needed slaves they would use chiefs to look for them in return were given gifts like clothes and jewelers .But one memorable man is remembered in the history of Rwanda for resisting the colonial rule and that was king RUDAHIGWA who was killed by the Belgians opposing him.
Belgians took Rwanda through the 1962 independence though as a by the way since they still controlled the political affair of the country.
KAYIBANDA GREGORIE was elected the first president of Rwanda and he was a HUTU since they were being sided by the Belgians and this caused the TUTSI group to resist the colonial rule under king RUDAHINGWA.
Secondly Belgians supported the Hutu’s because they were the majority and thus used them to oppress the other groups.
CHAOS BEGINS IN RWANDAN SOCIETY
In 1959, the first group of TUSTI fled to neighboring countries, because their houses had been burnt by the HUTU under the watch full eye of their colonial masters. This was the first sign that there was no future peace in the country. 20.000 TUTSI were killed.
KAYIBANDA GREGORIE ruled Rwanda until 1973 were his own general called HABYARIMANA JUVENAL made a coup de état and seized power.
The after math of the coup de état was on expulsion of the second group of TUSTI’S. Around 90,000 tustis’s in 1973 went to UGANDA, BURUNDI and TANZANIA neighboring Rwanda.
Participation of MRND
HABYARIMANA’S political party MRND organized the killing and destruction of Tutsi’s properties.
All this was done under the influence of the Belgians and France especially.
In 1959, the first group of TUSTI fled to neighboring countries, because their houses had been burnt by the HUTU under the watch full eye of their colonial masters. This was the first sign that there was no future peace in the country. 20.000 TUTSI were killed.
KAYIBANDA GREGORIE ruled Rwanda until 1973 were his own general called HABYARIMANA JUVENAL made a coup de état and seized power.
The after math of the coup de état was on expulsion of the second group of TUSTI’S. Around 90,000 tustis’s in 1973 went to UGANDA, BURUNDI and TANZANIA neighboring Rwanda.
Participation of MRND
HABYARIMANA’S political party MRND organized the killing and destruction of Tutsi’s properties.
All this was done under the influence of the Belgians and France especially.
Rwandan Patriotic Front.
Rwanda Patriotic Front. (RPF)
In 1990, Tutsi refugees in Uganda - supported by some moderate Hutus - were forming the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF). Their aim was to overthrow Habyarimana and secure their right to return to their homeland.
Kagame paul, Leader of RPF.
They started the liberation war, in 1990, October 1st.
Gen.Fred Rwigema was leading the RPF, and was killed on the first day of attack, 1st October 1990.
This was when, Paul Kagame, came to take over the RPF, and continued the battle, to liberate their country, and save the innocent people that were being killed by the HUTU Regime.
In August 1993, after several attacks and months of negotiation, a peace accord was signed between Habyarimana and the RPF, but it did little to stop the continued unrest.
When Habyarimana's plane was shot down at the beginning of April 1994, it was the final nail in the coffin.
Exactly who killed the president - and with him the president of Burundi and many chief members of staff - has not been established.
Whoever was behind the killing its effect was both instantaneous and catastrophic.
THE GENOCIDE.
Uwringiyimana Agahte. Prime minister, in Habyarimana`s government. She was a moderate Hutu, and was killed on the (07/april/1994, the first day of the genocide) because she wasn`t in support of the Genocide.
John Kambanda, head of the interahamwe militias, who were doing the killing.Today, John Kambanda is in prison in Mali.
COL. Theoneste Bagosora, he organised the genocide, and said to have been the one who killed President Habyarimana Juvenal, because he had signed the arusha agreement with RPF.
Today bagosora is in the court of Arusha, arrested.
President, Juvenal Habyarimana. THE RWANDAN 1994 GENOCIDE.
The genocide was sparked by the death of the Rwandan president Juvenal Habyarimana, a Hutu, when his plane was shot down above Kigali airport on 6 April 1994, after he was from signing the Arusha agreements with the RPF(Rwanda Patriotic Front)
Within hours of the attack, a campaign of violence spread from the capital throughout the country, and did not subside until three months later.
In Kigali, the presidential guard immediately initiated a campaign of retribution. Leaders of the political opposition were murdered, and almost immediately, the slaughter of Tutsis and moderate Hutus began.
Within hours, recruits were dispatched all over the country to carry out a wave of slaughter.
The early organizers included military officials, politicians and businessmen, but soon many others joined in the mayhem.
Encouraged by the presidential guard and radio propaganda, an unofficial militia group called the Interahamwe (meaning those who attack together) was mobilized. At its peak, this group was 30,000-strong.
Soldiers and police officers encouraged ordinary citizens to take part. In some cases, Hutu civilians were forced to murder their Tutsi neighbors by military personnel.
Participants were often given incentives, such as money or food, and some were even told they could appropriate the land of the Tutsis they killed.
On the ground at least, the Rwandans were largely left alone by the international community. UN troops withdrew after the murder of 10 Belgian soldiers.
The day after Habyarimana's death, the RPF renewed their assault on government forces, and numerous attempts by the UN to negotiate a ceasefire came to nothing.
More than 1million TUTSI and moderate HUTUS were killed in just 100days.
They were killed with machetes, knives, in a very horrible way. Very many young children and women were raped.
Even people, who fled to churches, were killed there.
All over the country the interahamwe were moving with machetes, knives and guns. There aim was to kill every TUTSI around the country and all the HUTUS that were not supporting them, among these ones, UWIRINGIYIMANA AGATHE, who was prime minister in Gen. Habyarimana`s government, was killed because she was not in support of the genocide.
Every one who was hunted had no hope of living.
Rwanda lost it`s beauty, and was full of blood and dead bodies
It is in 1994 July 4, the RPF soldiers led by Gen paul Kagame captured the capital city Kigali, and the genocide was stopped.
Very few TUTSI survived this massacre and horrible killing.
GENOCIDE: 07/04/1994 – 04/JULY/2004
After the genocide,
Finally, in July, the RPF captured Kigali. The government collapsed and the RPF declared a ceasefire.
President Bizimungu took over after the genocide
As soon as it became apparent that the RPF was victorious, an estimated two million Hutus fled to Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). These refugees include many who have since been implicated in the massacres.
The genocide was sparked by the death of the Rwandan president Juvenal Habyarimana, a Hutu, when his plane was shot down above Kigali airport on 6 April 1994, after he was from signing the Arusha agreements with the RPF(Rwanda Patriotic Front)
Within hours of the attack, a campaign of violence spread from the capital throughout the country, and did not subside until three months later.
In Kigali, the presidential guard immediately initiated a campaign of retribution. Leaders of the political opposition were murdered, and almost immediately, the slaughter of Tutsis and moderate Hutus began.
Within hours, recruits were dispatched all over the country to carry out a wave of slaughter.
The early organizers included military officials, politicians and businessmen, but soon many others joined in the mayhem.
Encouraged by the presidential guard and radio propaganda, an unofficial militia group called the Interahamwe (meaning those who attack together) was mobilized. At its peak, this group was 30,000-strong.
Soldiers and police officers encouraged ordinary citizens to take part. In some cases, Hutu civilians were forced to murder their Tutsi neighbors by military personnel.
Participants were often given incentives, such as money or food, and some were even told they could appropriate the land of the Tutsis they killed.
On the ground at least, the Rwandans were largely left alone by the international community. UN troops withdrew after the murder of 10 Belgian soldiers.
The day after Habyarimana's death, the RPF renewed their assault on government forces, and numerous attempts by the UN to negotiate a ceasefire came to nothing.
More than 1million TUTSI and moderate HUTUS were killed in just 100days.
They were killed with machetes, knives, in a very horrible way. Very many young children and women were raped.
Even people, who fled to churches, were killed there.
All over the country the interahamwe were moving with machetes, knives and guns. There aim was to kill every TUTSI around the country and all the HUTUS that were not supporting them, among these ones, UWIRINGIYIMANA AGATHE, who was prime minister in Gen. Habyarimana`s government, was killed because she was not in support of the genocide.
Every one who was hunted had no hope of living.
Rwanda lost it`s beauty, and was full of blood and dead bodies
It is in 1994 July 4, the RPF soldiers led by Gen paul Kagame captured the capital city Kigali, and the genocide was stopped.
Very few TUTSI survived this massacre and horrible killing.
GENOCIDE: 07/04/1994 – 04/JULY/2004
After the genocide,
Finally, in July, the RPF captured Kigali. The government collapsed and the RPF declared a ceasefire.
President Bizimungu took over after the genocide
As soon as it became apparent that the RPF was victorious, an estimated two million Hutus fled to Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). These refugees include many who have since been implicated in the massacres.
jeudi 15 février 2007
AFTER THE GENOCIDE
MR. Pasteur Bizimungu.
Back in Rwanda, UN troops and aid workers then arrived to help maintain order and restore basic services.
On 19 July a new multi-ethnic government was formed, promising all refugees a safe return to Rwanda.
Pasteur Bizimungu, a Hutu, was inaugurated as president, while the majority of cabinet posts were assigned to RPF members.
But although the massacres are over, the legacy of the genocide continues, and the search for justice has been a long and arduous one.
About 500 people have been sentenced to death, and another 100,000 are still in prison.
But some of the ringleaders have managed to evade capture, and many who lost their loved ones are still waiting for justice.
After the genocide, very many things were destroyed, burnt, the country was full of dead bodies, very sick people and casualties.
The country now has very many orphans, mothers and children with aids because they were raped, widows, very many people with trauma, and mental problems,poverty,poor methods of living, malnutrition, lack of doctors, schools and educated people.
Rwanda has been struggling very hard to develop itself and fight poverty, construct new buildings, church, schools hospitals, roads, improve living standards, support education, and improve security in the country.
And RPF started reconciliation between All Rwandese.
Some families forgave those that killed their families.
And today in Rwanda, we no longer have HUTU or TUTSI or TWA, we consider our selves all as Rwandese.
People all over the country are giving testimonies and accusing those that committed genocide, and are brought to justice.
Rwandese now have the same aim “NEVER AGAIN”
And we all believe that it will NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN.
Everyone that now brings conflicts and divisionism are taken to justice.
Today we live in new Rwanda that was once full of blood and a GRAVEYARD.
IN the year 2000, Mr. Pasteur Bizimungu, resigned, on his own will.
Then there was Election in the parliament Mr.Kagame Paul, took over.
In the year 2003, was the first time after the genocide, that citizens could have a chance to vote the president of their choice.
H.E Paul Kagame won the election with 95% of the votes.
Mr.Kagame Paul is today the president of Rwanda.
A country with peace, love, and hope for the future.
Since 1959 to 1994, Rwanda got one of it’s most horrible histories that we will never forget.
Back in Rwanda, UN troops and aid workers then arrived to help maintain order and restore basic services.
On 19 July a new multi-ethnic government was formed, promising all refugees a safe return to Rwanda.
Pasteur Bizimungu, a Hutu, was inaugurated as president, while the majority of cabinet posts were assigned to RPF members.
But although the massacres are over, the legacy of the genocide continues, and the search for justice has been a long and arduous one.
About 500 people have been sentenced to death, and another 100,000 are still in prison.
But some of the ringleaders have managed to evade capture, and many who lost their loved ones are still waiting for justice.
After the genocide, very many things were destroyed, burnt, the country was full of dead bodies, very sick people and casualties.
The country now has very many orphans, mothers and children with aids because they were raped, widows, very many people with trauma, and mental problems,poverty,poor methods of living, malnutrition, lack of doctors, schools and educated people.
Rwanda has been struggling very hard to develop itself and fight poverty, construct new buildings, church, schools hospitals, roads, improve living standards, support education, and improve security in the country.
And RPF started reconciliation between All Rwandese.
Some families forgave those that killed their families.
And today in Rwanda, we no longer have HUTU or TUTSI or TWA, we consider our selves all as Rwandese.
People all over the country are giving testimonies and accusing those that committed genocide, and are brought to justice.
Rwandese now have the same aim “NEVER AGAIN”
And we all believe that it will NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN.
Everyone that now brings conflicts and divisionism are taken to justice.
Today we live in new Rwanda that was once full of blood and a GRAVEYARD.
IN the year 2000, Mr. Pasteur Bizimungu, resigned, on his own will.
Then there was Election in the parliament Mr.Kagame Paul, took over.
In the year 2003, was the first time after the genocide, that citizens could have a chance to vote the president of their choice.
H.E Paul Kagame won the election with 95% of the votes.
Mr.Kagame Paul is today the president of Rwanda.
A country with peace, love, and hope for the future.
Since 1959 to 1994, Rwanda got one of it’s most horrible histories that we will never forget.
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