The Tragic Tale of Rwanda: A Retrospective on the Genocide that Shook the World

It is difficult to comprehend the enormity of the atrocities committed in Rwanda in 1994. The world watched in horror as the small African country was engulfed in a wave of violence that claimed the lives of over 800,000 people. The Rwandan genocide, as it has come to be known, was a defining moment in modern history and a stark reminder of the depths of human cruelty.

At the heart of the conflict were two ethnic groups: the Tutsis and the Hutus. Historically, the Tutsis had been the dominant group in Rwanda, but the tables had turned in the years leading up to the genocide. Hutus had seized power and had been engaged in a campaign of persecution against the Tutsis, who were seen as a threat to their newfound authority.

The situation came to a head in April 1994, when a plane carrying the Rwandan president, a Hutu, was shot down. The incident was the catalyst for a wave of violence that swept across the country. Hutu militias began targeting Tutsis and moderate Hutus, seeking to eliminate anyone who could potentially challenge their grip on power.

The scale of the violence was staggering. Men, women, and children were hunted down and killed in their homes, on the streets, and in refugee camps. Many were hacked to death with machetes, while others were shot…