RWANDA: CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS

1921
Belgian mandate in Rwanda and Burundi.

1959
Hutu attacks force thousands of Tutsis to escape to neighbouring countries.

1962
Proclamation of independence of Rwanda and Burundi.

1967
Tutsi massacre in Rwanda.

1973
Coup d’état: Major Juvénal Habyarimana seizes power. Tutsi massacres followed by a major exodus.

1988
Creation of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) in Uganda.

1991
Massacre of Tutsis and Hutu opponents.

1993 August:
UNHCR special rapporteur publishes conclusions: the Tutsi massacres since 1990 constitute genocide within the meaning of the 1948 Convention. Arusha peace agreements between the RPF and the government.

1993 October:
UN Security Council Resolution 872 establishes assistance mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR).

1994 April 6:
The plane carrying President Habyarimana of Rwanda and President Ntariyamira of Burundi, from Arusha, is shot down on its approach to Kigali airport.

1994 April 7:
Start of organized massacre of Rwandans of Tutsi origin and Hutu political opponents. Kigali under control of presidential guard, thus paralysing UNAMIR.

1994 May 4:
UN Secretary General Boutros-Ghali affirms that ’genocide’ is taking place in Rwanda.

1994 November 8:
The Security Council adopts Resolution 955 establishing an International Criminal Court to hear the crimes committed in Rwanda.

The estimated figure of the Rwandan genocide amounts to 800,000 people.