July 1: Independence Day in Rwanda
Prayer Idea
Pray for the people and government of Rwanda.
Map by Peter Hermes Furian / Shutterstock.com
History Note
Rwanda is a landlocked country in central Africa. It has a population of over 13 million, with most people speaking the Kinyarwanda language. About 96% of the people belong to a Christian denomination.
During the 1700s, the kingdom of Rwanda grew in power in the region. The monarchs were from the Tutsi ethnic group. The Tutsi and Hutu ethnic groups are similar in language and physical characteristics, but social and cultural differences have contributed to mistrust and conflict over the years. The differences were magnified as Europeans began exerting influence in the area.
Rwanda was part of the colony of German East Africa from the 1890s through World War I. After Germany lost the war, Belgium began overseeing the region as a League of Nations mandate. The Belgians favored the Tutsis and enabled them to control most of the political and economic power.
In 1959 a group of extremist Hutus rebelled against the Tutsi government and overthrew the Tutsi king. The rebels killed some 20,000 Tutsis in that revolt. Rwanda gained its independence from Belgium in 1962, and at the time the Hutus controlled the government. Tens of thousands of Tutsis fled in fear to nearby countries as exiles. The two groups continued to have conflict, which often resulted in violence.
A rebel group formed among the next generation of Tutsis in exile, and in 1990 the Tutsis began a civil war. In response, in 1994 the Hutu-led government initiated a genocide on Tutsis. An estimated 200,000 Hutus were involved in the attacks that took the lives of about 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus over a period of about one hundred days.
After the genocide ended, Rwandans moved toward healing and reconciliation. The Tutsis regained political power. A Hutu became president and a Tutsi, Paul Kagame, became vice president. Kagame was the more influential leader, and when the Hutu president resigned in 2000, Kagame became president. He has been president ever since, maintaining firm control and getting repeatedly reelected with over 90% of the vote.
Rwanda observes Independence Day on July 1. It also observes Liberation Day on July 4. Liberation Day commemorates the end of the Rwandan civil war and genocide in 1994.
Rwanda is known as “land of a thousand hills.” This 2019 photo shows an agricultural area near Nyungwe National Park. Photo by Atosan / Shutterstock.com.
Learn More
This video shows clips from the 50th anniversary celebration of Rwanda's independence in 2012.
Find other resources at Homeschool History.
