UNIT 5: THE 1990 LIBERATION WAR IN RWANDA
Key Unit competence: The student- teacher should be able to assess the causes and the consequences of the Liberation war of 1990-1994.
Introductory Activity
From October 1990 up to July 1994, Rwanda was undergoing the Liberation war started by Rwanda Patriotic Front. To which extent this war was inevitable?
5.1 The causes of the 1990–1994 Liberation War in Rwanda
Learning activity 5.1
Through the use of internet or by visiting your school library, examine the factors that have motivated Rwanda Patriotic Front (R.P.F) Inkotanyi to plan for the 1990 – 1994 Liberation War.
The long and hard life in exile
The events of 1959 have led to the exile of many Rwandans who left the country after the unrest period marked by violence and massacres of the members of the political party Union Nationale Rwandaise (UNAR) and against the Tutsi in general. In exile, refugees had different hard living conditions. But, in general, those living conditions in refugee camps and single young adults struggled to get a better life. Such bad living conditions coupled with lack of employment and good education in hosting countries pushed them to think of a solution to returning home.
The regionalism and ethnic based divisionism
Both, the First Republic (1962-1973) and the Second (1973-1994) Republic maintained and institutionalized “ethnic” labels (Hutu, Tutsi, Twa) in identity cards and the quota system.
As a result, ethnic and regional equilibrium had to be respected in different sectors such as administration, enrolment in secondary and tertiary schools and in the army.
Since the late 1960s the power was in the hands of few people from some communes of Gitarama. The same situation was observed under the Second Republic where again few people from some parts of the former Ruhengeri and Gisenyi préfectures occupied key positions in the country. As far as the political plan was concerned, both Republics were characterized by identitybased ideology.
During the First and Second Republics, hatred against the Tutsi was reinforced; very political crisis was blamed on Tutsi who were treated as scapegoats. This case was raised when refugees’ troops called Inyenzi attacked Rwanda in 1963 and later before the 1973 Habyarimana’s coup d’Etat against Kayibanda’s regime.
The refusal of return for Rwandan refugees
Since 1959 and under the First Republic, the Tutsi ran away from the violence and mass killing organized against them; they did so because they had to save their lives. Although the Government of Rwanda had since 1964 requested that refugees be settled in their countries of asylum, it did almost nothing to help them.
In 1973, the Second Republic put in place a joint ministerial commission between Rwanda and Uganda for the repatriation of Rwandan refugees living in Uganda. The refugees had to express in writing their desire to return home. The request had to be addressed to the country of origin through the High Commission for Refugees and the hosting governments. Any refugee whose request was rejected stayed in the country of exile or looked for another hosting country.
In addition, those who were displaced during the 1959 violence could not recuperate their properties. Most of the time, their properties were illegally taken by bourgmestres and their friends and this is why they were a source of trials. In 1966, President Kayibanda prevented refugees from claiming their properties.
In 1975, President Habyarimana put in place a decree stating that Tutsi refugees’ assets should become public properties. This decision was due to the refusal of political leaders who did not want to return the land to its owners.
The 1990 – 1994 Liberation War was inevitable insofar as the problem of the refugees was left pending, while the living conditions in the countries of refuge became unbearable. Many people were disillusioned by the attempts of integration in host countries.
The intimidation and killing of opponents
The Second Republic did not accept and tolerate any opposition. Any person who tried to oppose it was jailed. Even if political assassinations were not frequent, they existed. Thus, the 1990 – 1994 liberation war was organized in order to fight against such injustice in the country.
The increase of dictatorship in Rwanda
During the Second Republic, only a single political party, MRND was allowed to operate as it was stipulated by the 1978 constitution. In practice, the powers were concentrated in the hands of a small group of people from the President’s family and his family in-law called Akazu. No single important decision could be made without prior approval of the President and his MRND.
Application activity 5.1
Explain the role played by the following factors for the outbreak of the 1990 – 1994 liberation war in Rwanda:
• The regionalism and ethnic based divisionism
• The refusal of return for Rwandan refugees
5.2 The effects of the 1990 – 1994 Liberation War in Rwanda
Learning activity 5.2
From 1994 up to 1994, Rwanda was under the liberation war initiated by RPF Inkotanyi on the 1st October 1990. analyze the effects brought by that war in Rwanda.
The loss of lives and destruction of properties
Since the war started, there was increase of insecurity in Rwanda; in fighting areas some soldiers could shoot at people; ransack their houses and rape girls and women. In addition, due to the fighting, a number of people were killed and others wounded including soldiers and civilians. The killings led to the problem of orphans and widows.
In some areas, the reaction of the Habyarimana’s government was to attack and kill the Tutsi population of the interior of the country. For instance, from 1991 to 1993, there was massacre of Abagogwe social group in retaliation against an RPA attacks. The similar killings were also done in Kibirira, Bugesera, Kibuye, Murambi and in Umutara. These killings were also seen by some analysts as a strategy of strengthening the Habyarimana regime in difficult conditions and uniting all Hutu against a same enemy.
By this war, some public infrastructures like offices, roads and bridges, specifically in the northern regions of Rwanda were destroyed. Besides, the private properties were also destroyed like houses and shops.
The decline of the Rwandan economy
Due to the fighting during the 1990 – 1994 Liberation War; more than one million Rwandans fleeing the battle fields were displaced inside the country and they were not working. These Rwandans were in great need of shelter, food and other basic needs to use in their daily life. At the end of the war, Government officials, soldiers and militia fled to Zaïre, the then DRC, Tanzania and Burundi taking with them millions of civilians. Thousands of them died of water-borne diseases.
A picture of a Rwandan refugees’ camp at Goma in DRC
Source:https://www.sciencesource.com/archive/Rwandan-Refugee-Camp-SS2348665.html
Apart from the negative effects brought by the Liberation War fought from 1990 to 1994, on the other side, this war also brought positive results to the Rwandan society.
Restoration of national unity: Thanks to the Liberation War won by RPF, many achievements were made in the matter of building the national unity like equal justice, peace and security, end of segregation, etc.
Fighting against the public malpractice:The RPF Inkotanyi aimed at fighting against the corruption, favoritism and embezzlement as they were the result of the Liberation War.
Improvement of the image of Rwanda: The 1990 - 1994 Liberation War contributed to the improvement of the righteous image of the country. Rwandans are well-known all over the world as a good example of reconciliation, people living together on the same land, victims and criminals, after the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.
Promotion of good diplomatic relations with other countries: By the end of the 1990 – 1994 Liberation War, the country promoted international relations based on mutual respect, cooperation and mutual economic exchange. This helped the country to reduce economic and political dependency towards foreign countries.
Application activity 5.2
The Liberation War of 1990 – 1994 has positively and negatively affected the Rwandan society. Explain.
Skills lab
Analyze the roles played by Major General Fred Gisa Rwigema and other heroes in the 1990-1994 Liberation War in Rwanda and different activities that can be done to be a hero.
End unit assessment
1. Different factors justify the reasons which led to the outbreak of the 1990 – 1994 Liberation War in Rwanda. Identify and explain them.
2. Examine the negative and positive impacts of the Liberation War in Rwanda.