What was the main cause of the Rwandan Genocide in 1994?

The primary cause of the Rwandan Genocide in 1994 was rooted in the deep-seated ethnic tensions between the Hutu and Tutsi populations. Historically, these two groups had distinct identities, but during colonization, notably by the Belgian authorities, the Tutsi minority was favored, leading to resentment among the Hutu majority. This favoritism laid the groundwork for increasing animosity and conflict.

In the years leading up to the genocide, political power struggles and social disparities exacerbated these tensions. The assassination of Hutu President Juvénal Habyarimana in April 1994 sparked the genocide, as extremist elements within the Hutu community launched systematic attacks against Tutsis and moderate Hutus who opposed the violence. Over the course of approximately 100 days, an estimated 800,000 individuals were killed.

While economic disparities and political corruption existed, they were not the core catalyst for the genocide. The conflict was primarily driven by the historic ethnic divisions and the incitement to violence between the Hutu and Tutsi, making the ethnic tensions the defining factor of this tragic event.