Rwanda Genocide - Timeline

Tutsi Migrate to Rwanda

Germany Colonizes Rwanda

"Belgian Forces Occupy Rwanda"

"Belgians Assume Control Over Rwanda"

Belgium Governs Rwanda

Identification Cards Distributed

Rwanda becomes UN Trust Territory

Genocide Declared as a Crime

Hutu Manifesto Released

The Hutu people rebelled against the Tutsi and the Belgians, forcing thousands of Tutsi into exile.

"Rwanda Procaimed A Republic"

"Rwanda gains its independence"

"About 20,000 Tutsis killed following an incursion by Tutsi rebels"

"Juvénal Habyarimana takes control of Rwanda in a bloodless coup."

"Some 50,000 Hutu refugees flee to Rwanda from Burundi following ethnic violence there."

Forces of the rebel, mainly Tutsi, Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) invade Rwanda from Uganda.

New multi-party constitution promulgated.

"RTLM (Radio Télévison des Milles Collines) begins broadcasting and spreading hate."

"The Arusha Accords are agreed upon, opening government positions to both Hutu and Tutsi."

"Rwandan President Juvénal Habyarimana is killed when his plane is shot out of the sky. This is the official beginning of the Rwandan Genocide."

"Hutu extremists begin killing their political opponents, including the prime minister."

"Massacre at Gikondo - hundreds of Tutsis are killed in the Pallottine Missionary Catholic Church. Since the killers were clearly targeting only Tutsi, the Gikondo massacre was the first clear sign that a genocide was occurring."

"Massacre at the Nyarubuye Roman Catholic Church - thousands of Tutsi are killed, first by grenades and guns and then by machetes and clubs."

"An estimated 12,000 Tutsis are killed after sheltering at the Gatwaro stadium in Gitesi. Another 50,000 are killed in the hills of Bisesero. More are killed in the town's hospital and church."

"Approximately 250,000 people, mostly Tutsi, flee to neighboring Tanzania."

"The RPF takes control of the presidential palace."

"The French establish a safe zone in the southwest corner of Rwanda."

"Approximately one million people, mostly Hutu, begin fleeing to Zaire"

"The Rwanda Genocide ends when the RPF gains control of the country."