Leo J. DeSouza

The central African nation of Rwanda is divided between the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups. In April 1994 the Hutu-dominated Rwandan government and military instigated an organized campaign to kill Tutsis; an estimated 800,000 were slain before Tutsiled rebels overthrew the government in July 1994. The international community has since condemned the actions of the Hutus as genocide; both the new Tutsi-led government and a special tribunal of the United Nations have acted to investigate and punish those responsible. In the following viewpoint, Leo J. DeSouza argues the world community must take into account that history of Hutu-Tutsi relations, including past Tutsi atrocities committed against the Hutus. Trying to punish all individuals who participated in the 1994 genocide would prolong conflict in Rwanda, he argues. To ensure future peace, a full investigation of the 1994 events...