On July 4, Rwandans celebrate Kwibohora31, honoring the day in 1994 when the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) put an end to the genocide against the Tutsi and began a new chapter for the nation, Sputnik Africa reports.
The celebration indicated the deep historical roots of the Rwandan genocide.
Chronicle of events indicated that, centuries of coexistence between Hutu farmers and Tutsi pastoralists eventually led to Tutsi dominance, a system reinforced by colonial rulers Germany and then Belgium through preferential treatment.
Hutu power struggles triggered violence, resulting in Rwanda’s independence under Hutu rule in 1962;
From the 1960s to 1990s, repeated clashes between Hutu and Tutsi fueled tensions.
Civil war erupted in 1990 between the government and the Tutsi-led RPF, further escalating tensions.
On April 6, 1994, the assassination of President Habyarimana triggered mass killings by Hutu militias and the army, targeting Tutsi and moderate Hutu. The genocide lasted 100 days, killing up to 800,000 people.
On July 4, 1994, the RPF, led by Paul Kagame, captured Kigali and ended the genocide. Rwanda marks this day as Liberation Day, a time to honour victims and celebrate freedom from oppression.
In preparation for Liberation Day, Rwanda’s Defense Forces concluded their Citizen Outreach Programme, providing new homes, expanded access to water and electricity, and free medical services to vulnerable families across the country.
