Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda

From April to July 1994, one of the most brutal genocides in human history occurred in Rwanda. It claimed the lives of 800,000 men, women, and children, most of whom were of Tutsi descent. Kwibuka, the official anniversary of the Rwandan Tutsi Genocide, is observed every year on April 7. Explore this selection of testimony clips of survivors and eyewitnesses to the genocide from the Visual History Archive. 

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  Genocide: Live Wesige on Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda

  Language: English

  On April 6, 1994, an aircraft carrying Rwandan President Juvénal Habyarimana was shot down by a surface-to-air missile as it was about to land in Kigali airport. Everyone aboard the plane was killed: Habyarimana; president of Burundi, Cyprien Ntaryamira; and a three-man French crew. While it remains unclear who fired the missile, the event is viewed as having ignited the 1994 Rwandan Tutsi Genocide.

  Live Wesige remembers hearing the news about the president’s death and describes the violence that ensued in his neighborhood the next day, April 7, 1994.
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  Rose Burizihiza on the Beginning of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda

  Language: Kinyarwanda

  Rose Burizihiza describes how the Hutu leaders in her town met to plan how they would kill the local Tutsis.
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  Roméo Dallaire on the 1994 Rwandan Tutsi Genocide

  Language: English

  Roméo Dallaire describes how quickly violence escalated in Rwanda in 1994 and his disappointment in the lack of support from the international community.
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  Valerie Nyirarudodo on forgiveness

  Language: Kinyarwanda

  Valerie Nyirarudodo says she has forgiven the perpetrators of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda who have asked for it, and encourages others to follow the same path.
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  Alphonse Kabalisa on anti-Tutsi propaganda

  Language: Kinyarwanda

  Alphonse Kabalisa recalls listening to anti-Tutsi propaganda on the radio with his father, after the death of Rwandan President Juvénal Habyarimana. Alphonse’s testimony is featured in the IWitness activity, Information Quest: The Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda
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  Carl Wilkens on neighbors speaking up

  Language: English

  Carl Wilkens, an aid provider during the Rwandan Tutsi Genocide, describes the courageous acts of his neighbors. 
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  Kizito Kalima on the importance of learning the lesson

  Language: English

  Rwandan Tutsi Genocide survivor Kizito Kalima shares his hope that people take action to prevent future genocides. He vows  to do anything necessary to ensure the world is a safe, peaceful place.
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  Edith Umugiraneza on the Interahamwe Militia

  Language: English

  Rwandan Tutsi Genocide survivor Edith Umugiraneza describes her first contact with the Interahamwe militia, which was threatening violence against Tutsis.
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  Freddy Mutanguha on saying goodbye to his mother

  Language: English