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What factors contributed to the Rwandan genocide?

The Rwandan genocide was primarily driven by ethnic tensions, political power struggles, economic hardship, and the role of media propaganda.

The Rwandan genocide, which took place in 1994, was a horrific event that resulted in the mass murder of approximately 800,000 people, predominantly from the Tutsi ethnic group. The genocide was primarily driven by a complex interplay of factors, including deep-seated ethnic tensions, political power struggles, economic hardship, and the role of media propaganda.

Ethnic tensions between the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups were a significant factor. These tensions were rooted in the colonial period when Belgium, the colonial power, favoured the Tutsi minority over the Hutu majority, creating a social hierarchy that fostered resentment and hostility. The Hutus, who had been marginalised and oppressed, seized power after independence, and these tensions escalated into violence.

Political power struggles also played a crucial role. The assassination of President Juvenal Habyarimana, a Hutu, in April 1994, served as a catalyst for the genocide. His death created a power vacuum and unleashed a wave of violence, with Hutu extremists blaming the Tutsi-led Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) for his death. This event was used as a pretext to initiate the planned extermination of the Tutsi population.

Economic hardship was another contributing factor. The 1980s and early 1990s were marked by economic decline, exacerbated by falling coffee prices on the international market, Rwanda's main export. This economic crisis increased social tensions and made the population more susceptible to extremist propaganda.

Finally, the role of media propaganda cannot be overlooked. Radio stations and newspapers, controlled by Hutu extremists, spread hate speech and dehumanised the Tutsi population, portraying them as a threat to the Hutu community. This propaganda played a significant role in inciting and perpetuating the violence.

In conclusion, the Rwandan genocide was a complex event with multiple contributing factors. Understanding these factors is crucial to preventing similar atrocities in the future.

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