Rwanda: July 4, 1994-present (ending of Rwandan genocide)

Category: Genocide

RPF overtook the capital city of Kigali on July 4th, signaling the beginning of the end of Rwandan genocide. By July 18th, it is announced that the war is over and a cease-fire is agreed upon.

Paul Kigame, the leader of the RPF, becomes the country's new president.

It is believed (in 2004) that the estimated death toll for the 100-day genocide in Rwanda was 937,000. The was a UN Tribunal to prosecute higher level officials responsible for the genocide. However, one unique feature of the genocide was that it was primarily carried out by para-military and not directly by the government. Therefore, the nation was responsible for trying lower level citizens involved in the genocide.

This genocide gaind more international attention from the average person and people are still working today to help rebuild the country. Also, it gained more attention through the media. For example, the movie Hotel Rwanda was made which depicts the horrors of the genocide.