Pre-Colonial Era – 1800s

Tutsi's held more power but the division between Hutu and Tutsi was more fluid.

1885–1962 – Colonial Rule

German and later Belgian colonizers reinforced ethnic divisions, issuing ID cards based on ethnicity and favouring Tutsis in leadership roles.

1962

Rwanda gained independence. Over 100,000 Tutsis fled the country to escape persecution.

1962–1987

Tutsi exiles formed rebel groups and staged attacks. Each attack triggered violent retaliation on Tutsis in Rwanda.

1988

The Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) was formed by Tutsi refugees in Uganda.

1 October 1990

The RPF launched a civil war by invading Rwanda from Uganda.

August 1993

The Arusha Accords were signed to create a power-sharing government. Peacekeeping force UNAMIR was deployed.

6 April 1994

Rwandan President Habyarimana’s plane was shot down. This event triggered the start of the genocide.

7 April 1994

Mass killings of Tutsis and moderate Hutus began. Prime Minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana and 10 Belgian peacekeepers were murdered.

April–July 1994

Approximately 800,000 to 1,000,000 people were killed in 100 days — an average of 8,000–10,000 people per day.

21 April 1994

UN reduced its peacekeeping forces from 2165 to just 270 troops.

22 June 1994

France launched “Operation Turquoise” to create a safe zone. It saved lives but also allowed genocidaires to flee.

4 July 1994

RPF captured Kigali, ending the genocide and civil war. Millions of Hutus fled to neighbouring countries.

1996–1998

Two wars broke out in the Democratic Republic of Congo, partly due to the presence of former Rwandan forces in refugee camps.

2001

Gacaca courts were introduced to handle lower-level genocide cases through community-led justice.

1994–2015

The UN’s International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) prosecuted major figures responsible for the genocide.