Episode 327 - The Rwandan Genocide: Part 1
Lions Led By Donkeys Podcast
Revolution Breeds Oppression
The transformation of Rwanda post-colonial rule highlighted the fragility of power transitions. The abolition of serfdom ignited tensions between Hutus and Tutsis, as Hutus grew increasingly frustrated with their second-class status even amidst nominal reforms. The death of the king led to violent backlash from conservative Tutsis against Hutus demanding basic rights, fueling a cycle of retribution and the rise of Hutu nationalism grounded in ethnic divisions. As conflict escalated, foreign intervention from Belgium resulted in forced reforms that empowered Hutus but did not quell violence. The establishment of a Hutu-led government under Kayibanda saw the consolidation of power through repression, racial scapegoating, and the suppression of Tutsis, illustrating the dangers of replacing one form of tyranny with another while failing to establish true democratic governance.
