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Acts of Human Kindness: Tutsi, Hutu and the Genocide

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 August 2021

Villia Jefremovas
Villia Jefremovas*
Affiliation:
Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Extract

Most press reports would have us believe that the genocide in Rwanda was the result of a “centuries-old” ethnic/tribal hatred. There is no denying that mass murder and genocide took place in Rwanda. It is estimated that between 500,000 and 1,000,000 people died in the most appalling way. Those killed were from all ethnic groups, Tutsi, Hutu, and Twa; but the vast majority of those killed were Tutsi. However, it is important to understand the process by which this took place: we must stop and ask if this genocide was inevitable, if it was universal, and if it was the result of ancient irreconcilable hatreds.

The reference to tribal warfare, or even ethnic conflict, implies that there are (at least) two sides fighting, and that all members of society are caught up in the killings. But in this case, the great preponderance of deaths resulted not from “conflict” but from murder.

Type
Research Article
Information
African Issues , Volume 23 , Issue 2 , 1995 , pp. 28 - 31
Copyright
Copyright © African Studies Association 1995 

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