The country was taken over by Belgium in 1916 after first being colonized by the Germans from 1894-1916. The Belgium used a “divide-to-rule” strategy to keep control where the minority Tutsi, which formed 14% of the population, were given superior treatment even though the Hutus, that composed 85% of the population, were not considered an actual separate ethnic group. Belgian colonists classified the Tutsi as generally taller, thinner, and more “European” in their appearance than the shorter and heftier Hutus. The Belgians decided the Tutsi were natural leaders due to the dominance their looks portrayed in their opinion. Consequently, public services and education were prioritised for the Tutsis while the majority of Hutus were farmers and unskilled labourers.
When anti-colonial movements started echoing around
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Consequently, in order to preserve and secure their rule, Belgian colonialists started promoting Hutus. While Tutsis wanted independence from the Belgian colonial government, the Hutus pursued ‘social justice’ and Rwanda gained its independence in 1962. Following independence, the Hutu majority seized power and reversed the roles, oppressing the Tutsis through acts of violence. This forced the Tutsi to migrate out of Rwanda to ensure that they were not involved. Tutsis remaining in Rwanda were stripped of much of their wealth and status under the regime of Juvénal Habyarimana, installed in 1973. However, after 1986, Tutsis in Uganda formed the Rwandan Patriotic Front organisation (RPF) which aimed to invade Rwanda and overthrow the Habyarimana regime. In 1990,