The media played a significant, albeit passive, role during the Rwandan genocide. Initial media coverage was sparse, and when it did occur, it often misconstrued the events as mere continuations of the ongoing civil war rather than a targeted extermination. This lack of accurate and comprehensive media coverage resulted in limited public awareness globally. Consequently, there was less public pressure on governments to intervene or take significant action. A more proactive media coverage, highlighting the scale and nature of the atrocities, might have accelerated international response and perhaps could have changed the trajectory of the genocide.

The murder of ten Belgian peacekeepers at the onset of the Rwandan genocide had profound repercussions on Belgium's involvement. These peacekeepers were part of UNAMIR and were brutally killed while trying to protect the moderate Prime Minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana. As a direct consequence of this incident, Belgium decided to withdraw its troops from the peacekeeping mission. This decision had broader implications; not only did it leave UNAMIR severely understaffed, but it also signalled to the génocidaires that there was minimal chance of international intervention. The withdrawal has since been criticised as it inadvertently gave a green light to those perpetrating the genocide.

Operation Turquoise was a French-led military operation in Rwanda under the guise of a humanitarian mission, which took place in June 1994. While the operation did establish a "safe zone" in southwestern Rwanda and undoubtedly saved many Tutsi lives, it's been marred by controversy. Critics argue that the mission allowed some génocidaires to escape into Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) and that France was more interested in maintaining its influence in the region than in stopping the genocide. Further controversy stems from France's historical ties with the Hutu-led government, leading to allegations that they might have had prior knowledge about the Hutu government's plans for mass extermination.

The Genocide Convention, officially named the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1948. It defines genocide and commits signatory nations to prevent and punish acts of genocide. The hesitancy of the US to use the term "genocide" in the context of Rwanda is believed to be linked to this convention. Recognising the events as "genocide" would have obligated the US, under international law, to intervene and take action. By avoiding the term, the US could sidestep this obligation, given the nation's apprehension about getting entangled in another complex humanitarian crisis, especially after the Somalia debacle in 1993.

Commander Roméo Dallaire's "genocide fax" sent to the UN headquarters in January 1994 was a crucial document that highlighted the impending threat of mass violence in Rwanda. Dallaire had received information about the stockpiling of weapons and intent to exterminate Tutsis. The fax was a cry for permission to act, confiscate weapons, and prevent the looming catastrophe. However, the UN's response was restrained, advising Dallaire to inform President Habyarimana and the diplomatic community but not to seize arms. The inadequate response to this early warning sign underscores the broader issues of bureaucratic hesitancy and a failure to recognise and act on the gravity of the impending crisis.