In 1994, which country experienced a genocide against the Tutsis that resulted in over 500,000 civilian deaths?

In 1994, Rwanda was the site of a devastating genocide that resulted in the deaths of an estimated 500,000 Tutsi civilians, as well as moderate Hutu individuals who opposed the violence. This massacre was the culmination of long-standing ethnic tensions between the Hutu and Tutsi populations, which had been exacerbated by political strife and colonial historical legacies.

The genocide began in April 1994, following the assassination of the Rwandan president, a Hutu. Within 100 days, extremist Hutu factions orchestrated widespread killings and ethnic cleansing against the Tutsi minority, employing brutal methods and mass violence that shocked the world. The international community largely failed to intervene during this critical period, leaving Rwandans to suffer alone.

Understanding this tragic event is crucial when studying international relations, as it highlights issues of humanitarian intervention, state sovereignty, and the responsibilities of international actors in preventing genocides. Rwanda's genocide has since shaped discussions on the international response to atrocities, the role of the United Nations, and the importance of early detection and prevention mechanisms in conflicts.