Radio Télévision Libre des Mille Collines (RTLM) was influential due to its wide reach and potent use of propaganda. In a country where radio was the primary medium for news, RTLM had a vast audience. It skillfully tapped into local grievances and prejudices, utilising inflammatory rhetoric against Tutsis and moderate Hutus. By painting them as enemies, conspirators, or even likening them to 'cockroaches', it fanned the flames of hatred and made violence seem like a justifiable response. The relentless and graphic nature of its broadcasts played a critical role in mobilising many ordinary Rwandans to participate in the mass killings.

The international community largely welcomed the Arusha Accords, seeing them as a significant step towards ending the Rwandan Civil War and establishing a peaceful power-sharing arrangement. The Accords were facilitated by Tanzania but received backing from other international players, including the United States and Belgium. Post-signing, the United Nations established the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) to oversee and ensure the implementation of the accords, particularly the ceasefire. However, while the international community was optimistic, it underestimated the deep-seated animosity and the extent of radicalisation within Rwanda, leading to insufficient preparation for potential conflict escalation.

The Rwandan Civil War had significant repercussions for its neighbours, especially in terms of refugee movements. As violence escalated in Rwanda, thousands sought refuge in neighbouring Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). These influxes strained the resources of host countries, leading to humanitarian crises in several refugee camps. Moreover, the presence of the RPF and its activities from bases in Uganda also strained Rwandan-Ugandan relations. Post-genocide, the remnants of the Hutu militia, who fled to Zaire, played a role in the First Congo War, further highlighting the regional implications of Rwanda's internal conflict.

France played a complex and controversial role during the Rwandan Civil War. Paris was a staunch ally of the Habyarimana regime, providing it with military support, training, and weapons. French troops even intervened directly on behalf of the Rwandan government during the conflict. Critics argue that this support emboldened the Hutu regime, enabling and even escalating ethnic tensions. Post-genocide, allegations emerged that France had been complicit or turned a blind eye to the planning and execution of the genocide, though France has denied these accusations. The French role in Rwanda remains a topic of considerable debate and investigation.

The Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) was predominantly led by Tutsi exiles and refugees. Its most notable leader was Paul Kagame, who later became Rwanda's president. Originally a refugee in Uganda, Kagame was a senior member of the Ugandan rebel group that brought Yoweri Museveni to power in 1986. Kagame, with his military training and experience, played a pivotal role in the RPF's military campaigns. Under his leadership, the RPF was not only a rebel group but also a political movement aiming to address grievances of the Tutsi diaspora, focusing on their return and integration into Rwandan society.