The Conflict

Traditional economic and tribal divisions in Rwanda and Burundi—divisions that identified specific individuals and groups based on physical characteristics and livelihood—were exacerbated during colonization by Belgium. The best jobs, education, and religious leadership were given only to Tutsis, a minority group in Congo. While this changed after Rwanda gained independence, anger and distrust continued. In 1994 fears of being cheated out of the political and economic largess caused some Hutu to incite others to kill. Between five hundred thousand and one million Tutsis were brutally killed by their Hutu neighbors.

Economic

• Historically, the majority Hutu made their living off the land, a less prestigious occupation than the cattle-owning Tutsi. When Rwanda was colonized, Tutsi were given preference for jobs and education. Little of the class system still exists...