Rwanda: Difference between revisions
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'''Rwanda''' is a country of [[Central Africa]], having borders with the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] (DRC) (217 km), [[Burundi]] (290 km), [[Uganda]] (169 km) and [[Tanzania]] (217 km). While it has no ocean coast, it is on the [[Lake Kivu]], which borders on the DRC. Its capital is [[Kigali]]. | '''Rwanda''' is a country of [[Central Africa]], having borders with the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] (DRC) (217 km), [[Burundi]] (290 km), [[Uganda]] (169 km) and [[Tanzania]] (217 km). While it has no ocean coast, it is on the [[Lake Kivu]], which borders on the DRC.<ref name=FB>{{citation | ||
| contribution = Burundi | |||
| title = The World Factbook | |||
| publisher = [[Central Intelligence Agency]] | |||
| url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/rw.html}}</ref> Its capital is [[Kigali]]. | |||
==History== | ==History== | ||
Rwanda became independent in 1962 after colonization by [[Germany]] (1899) and [[Belgium]] (1919). In 1959, three years before independence, the majority ethnic group, the Hutus, overthrew the ruling Tutsi king. A Hutu-dominated parliament was elected in 1961. Since independence, the country has been riven with ethnic violence, although it is at relative peace. It held its first local elections in 1999 and its first post-genocide presidential and legislative elections in 2003. | Rwanda became independent in 1962 after colonization by [[Germany]] (1899) and [[Belgium]] (1919). In 1959, three years before independence, the majority ethnic group, the Hutus, overthrew the ruling Tutsi king. A Hutu-dominated parliament was elected in 1961. Since independence, the country has been riven with ethnic violence, although it is at relative peace. It held its first local elections in 1999 and its first post-genocide presidential and legislative elections in 2003. | ||
===1994 genocide=== | ===1994 genocide=== | ||
On 6 April 1994, when the aircraft of the Hutu presidents of Rwanda, [[Juvenal Habyarimana]], in which [[Cyprien Ntaryamira]], the Hutu president of [[Burundi]] was also a passenger, was shot down near near Kigali International Airport in Rwanda, fighting broke out. United Nations peacekeepers under Canadian Gen. [[Romeo Dallaire]] were unable to obtain authorization to capture rebel weapons depots and radio stations. The Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) fought the Hutu government. Between April and June 1994. About 800,000 people were massacred by the army and the Hutu [[Interahamwe]] militia. The RPF overthrew the regime in June 1994. | |||
The [[United Nations Security Council]] formed the [[International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda]]. | |||
===Continuing insurgencies=== | |||
The Tutsi rebels defeated the Hutu regime and ended the killing in July 1994, but approximately 2 million Hutu refugees - many fearing Tutsi retribution - fled to neighboring Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, and DRC. Since then, most of the refugees have returned to Rwanda, but several thousand remained in the DRC and formed an extremist insurgency bent on retaking Rwanda, much as the RPF tried in 1990. | |||
Interahamwe forces were still operating in northwest Rwanda, as well as the DRC, in 1999. <ref name=BBC>{{citation | |||
| date = 3 March 1999 | |||
| title = Interahamwe: A serious military threat | |||
| author = Chris Simpson | publisher = BBC | |||
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/288937.stm}}</ref> | |||
===Recent stabilization=== | ===Recent stabilization=== | ||
The DRC and Rwanda restored diplomatic relations in 2009, after conducting joint military operations to oust Hutu insurgents in the Congo. | The DRC and Rwanda restored diplomatic relations in 2009, after conducting joint military operations to oust Hutu insurgents in the Congo. | ||
| Line 16: | Line 29: | ||
Rwanda joined the [[Commonwealth of Nations]] in late 2009. | Rwanda joined the [[Commonwealth of Nations]] in late 2009. | ||
==People== | ==People== | ||
It is the most densely populated country in Africa, with an estimated population of 10,746,311 spread over 26,338 sq km.<ref name=FB | It is the most densely populated country in Africa, with an estimated population of 10,746,311 spread over 26,338 sq km.<ref name=FB /> Ethnically, it is principally Hutu (Bantu) 84% and Tutsi (Hamitic) 15%, with Twa (Pygmy) 1%, Religions are diverse, estimated to be, in 2001, Roman Catholic 56.5%, Protestant 26%, Adventist 11.1%, Muslim 4.6%, indigenous beliefs 0.1%, none 1.7%. The official languages are [[Kinyarwanda ]](official) universal Bantu vernacular, French and English (official); Kiswahili (Swahili) is used in commercial centers. | ||
Ethnically, it is principally Hutu (Bantu) 84% and Tutsi (Hamitic) 15%, with Twa (Pygmy) 1%, Religions are diverse, estimated to be, in 2001, Roman Catholic 56.5%, Protestant 26%, Adventist 11.1%, Muslim 4.6%, indigenous beliefs 0.1%, none 1.7%. The official languages are [[Kinyarwanda ]](official) universal Bantu vernacular, French and English (official); Kiswahili (Swahili) is used in commercial centers. | |||
==Economy== | ==Economy== | ||
Rwanda is a poor rural country with about 85% of the population engaged in (mainly subsistence) agriculture and some mineral and agro-processing. Despite Rwanda's fertile ecosystem, food production often does not keep pace with demand, requiring food imports. | Rwanda is a poor rural country with about 85% of the population engaged in (mainly subsistence) agriculture and some mineral and agro-processing. Despite Rwanda's fertile ecosystem, food production often does not keep pace with demand, requiring food imports. | ||
| Line 34: | Line 41: | ||
Rwanda continues to receive substantial aid money and obtained Rwanda also received a [[Millenium Challenge Act | Millennium Challenge Account Compact]] in 2008. | Rwanda continues to receive substantial aid money and obtained Rwanda also received a [[Millenium Challenge Act | Millennium Challenge Account Compact]] in 2008. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist|2}} | ||
Revision as of 18:33, 16 February 2010
Rwanda is a country of Central Africa, having borders with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) (217 km), Burundi (290 km), Uganda (169 km) and Tanzania (217 km). While it has no ocean coast, it is on the Lake Kivu, which borders on the DRC.[1] Its capital is Kigali.
History
Rwanda became independent in 1962 after colonization by Germany (1899) and Belgium (1919). In 1959, three years before independence, the majority ethnic group, the Hutus, overthrew the ruling Tutsi king. A Hutu-dominated parliament was elected in 1961. Since independence, the country has been riven with ethnic violence, although it is at relative peace. It held its first local elections in 1999 and its first post-genocide presidential and legislative elections in 2003.
1994 genocide
On 6 April 1994, when the aircraft of the Hutu presidents of Rwanda, Juvenal Habyarimana, in which Cyprien Ntaryamira, the Hutu president of Burundi was also a passenger, was shot down near near Kigali International Airport in Rwanda, fighting broke out. United Nations peacekeepers under Canadian Gen. Romeo Dallaire were unable to obtain authorization to capture rebel weapons depots and radio stations. The Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) fought the Hutu government. Between April and June 1994. About 800,000 people were massacred by the army and the Hutu Interahamwe militia. The RPF overthrew the regime in June 1994.
The United Nations Security Council formed the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.
Continuing insurgencies
The Tutsi rebels defeated the Hutu regime and ended the killing in July 1994, but approximately 2 million Hutu refugees - many fearing Tutsi retribution - fled to neighboring Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, and DRC. Since then, most of the refugees have returned to Rwanda, but several thousand remained in the DRC and formed an extremist insurgency bent on retaking Rwanda, much as the RPF tried in 1990.
Interahamwe forces were still operating in northwest Rwanda, as well as the DRC, in 1999. [2]
Recent stabilization
The DRC and Rwanda restored diplomatic relations in 2009, after conducting joint military operations to oust Hutu insurgents in the Congo.
Kigali Airport has been an African Union logistics base for peace operations in the Darfur Conflict.
Rwanda joined the Commonwealth of Nations in late 2009.
People
It is the most densely populated country in Africa, with an estimated population of 10,746,311 spread over 26,338 sq km.[1] Ethnically, it is principally Hutu (Bantu) 84% and Tutsi (Hamitic) 15%, with Twa (Pygmy) 1%, Religions are diverse, estimated to be, in 2001, Roman Catholic 56.5%, Protestant 26%, Adventist 11.1%, Muslim 4.6%, indigenous beliefs 0.1%, none 1.7%. The official languages are Kinyarwanda (official) universal Bantu vernacular, French and English (official); Kiswahili (Swahili) is used in commercial centers.
Economy
Rwanda is a poor rural country with about 85% of the population engaged in (mainly subsistence) agriculture and some mineral and agro-processing. Despite Rwanda's fertile ecosystem, food production often does not keep pace with demand, requiring food imports.
In 2008, minerals overtook coffee and tea as Rwanda's primary foreign exchange earner.
Rwanda joined the World Bank in 1963, and obtained Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) initiative debt relief in 2005-06. Since then, the country has financed 70 IDA credits and grants totaling approximately US$1.4 billion. As of the end of July 2009, World Bank support to Rwanda consists of 13 operations, including four loans, nine grants and two trust funds, with a net commitment of US$ 264.4 million. [3]
Rwanda continues to receive substantial aid money and obtained Rwanda also received a Millennium Challenge Account Compact in 2008.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 , Burundi, The World Factbook, Central Intelligence Agency
- ↑ Chris Simpson (3 March 1999), Interahamwe: A serious military threat, BBC
- ↑ Rwanda, World Bank