Rwanda: Impact

Immediate Human Cost

The genocide took hundreds of thousands of lives, with estimates ranging from 500,000 to a million, predominantly amongst the Tutsi population.
The Tutsi ethnic group was decimated, with around 70% of the Tutsi population estimated to have been killed.
The genocide also targeted moderate Hutus as well as Twa pygmies.
In addition to the lives lost, there were widespread sexual crimes, resulting in numerous unwanted pregnancies and an increase in HIV/AIDS and other diseases.

Societal Disruption

The genocide created a large-scale displacement of both Tutsi and Hutu populations; millions either fled or were internally displaced.
Many children were left orphaned and a great number of households were headed by women or children due to the death of male family members.
Traditional structures and institutions, including schools, medical facilities, and governmental bodies were entirely or pa
There was a massive destruction of infrastructure, including homes, schools, and hospitals, affecting Rwanda’s capacity to provide basic services.

Economic Impact

The genocide materially weakened the economic and productive base of Rwanda. A large proportion of the working-age population was lost, severely depleting the country’s labour force.
Agricultural production, the backbone of Rwanda’s economy, was significantly impaired due to the death of farmers and loss of farming assets.
Rwanda’s GDP fell sharply during the genocide period, leading to a prolonged economic crisis.
The genocide also left a legacy of extreme poverty and inequality.

Psychological Consequences

Survivors of the genocide often suffered from severe psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety.
The scale and nature of the violence caused a profound loss of trust and social cohesion in Rwandan society.
The need for justice and reconciliation confronted the challenge of dealing with genocide perpetrators living within the communities.

Political and International Responses

The genocide ended with the military victory of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), leading to a shift in power dynamics in Rwanda with Tutsis coming to power.
The event redefined international humanitarian laws, leading to a revamping of international mechanisms to prevent and respond to genocides.
The United Nations established the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) to prosecute perpetrators. However, the process was slow and marred with difficulties.
There was a significant shift in global opinion towards ‘non-indifference’, helping to spur the doctrine of “Responsibility to Protect” (R2P) in international relations.

Long-term Impact

Rwanda has made remarkable progress in terms of social, economic, and political rebuilding. However, this has been marked by a high degree of centralisation and control under President Kagame.
There are ongoing concerns about human rights and political freedoms in Rwanda.
The genocide had significant regional implications, contributing to conflicts in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).