Role of the international community in the Rwandan genocide Role of the international community in the Rwandan genocide This article details the role of the international community in the Rwandan genocide. The genocide in Rwanda was based on two groups, believed to be based on ethnicity, the Hutu and the Tutsi. The population in the year 1994 was approximately seven million people. Rwanda's population was 85% Hutu, 14% Tutsi, and 1% Twa (a Pygmy tribe). Historically, the Tutsis had been the ruling class, which was enforced by Belgian colonialism, so centuries of Hutu hatred toward the elitist minority had made politics a tense arena in Rwanda. In 1959, there
Ethnic groups in Burundi declared a presidential republic; however peace did not ensue as a result. Even after 1966, the subsequent dictatorial regimes of Michel Micombero (1966–76), Jean-Baptiste Bagaza (1976–87), and Pierre Buyoya (1987–93) were dominated by Tutsi elites which often consciously marginalized and discriminated against the Hutu majority. The first Hutu to become head of state was Melchior Ndadaye in 1993, although he was assassinated shortly after taking power. Ethnic violence peaked in 1972 when 100,000 people, mainly Hutu, were killed by the Tutsi regime in the Burundian Genocide. Twa have also been targeted, specifically in violence directed against the Tutsi with whom