Rwanda: April 8-14, 1994

Category: Genocide

On april 8, the Tutsi's began to mobilize in response to the Hutu attacks of the previous two days. Both the Tutsi and International Community realize right away that the erupting conflict between the Tutsi and Hutu is going to be extremely deadly. As a result, when the Tutsi Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) mobilizes the embassies in Kigali empty out. The following day on April 9 and 10, civilians living in Rwanda from France, Belgium, and the UNited States are evacuated as the embassies shut down. After just five days of conflict the Red Cross estimates that tens of thousands have been killed and the U.N. forces in charge of protecting Tutsis are ordered to withdraw. At this point the message sent to those commiting genocide is that the international community is too scared to act and are going to continue withdrawing as opposed to interfering. On April 14, the Belgium forces who were commiting troops to the Un Forces also withdraw. The Belgians are a noteworthy group when considering those involved in Rwanda because Rwanda was a Belgian colony. Thus, Belgium felt an obligation to help bring peace to the country if it is not caustic to them. However, once danger was present ties were broken and Belgium withdrew.