Rwanda is a small, landlocked country in central Africa that has a complex history dating back thousands of years. Here’s an overview of some of the key events that have shaped Rwanda’s history:

Pre-colonial era: Rwanda was originally inhabited by the Twa, a pygmy group who were later joined by the Hutu and Tutsi peoples. The Tutsi, who were pastoralists, eventually came to dominate the political and economic landscape of Rwanda.

German and Belgian colonial rule: In the late 19th century, Rwanda came under German colonial rule, which lasted until World War I when it was seized by the Belgian government. The Belgians further entrenched the existing divide between the Tutsi and Hutu by issuing identity cards based on ethnicity and using the Tutsi as intermediaries to rule over the Hutu.

Independence and post-independence turmoil: Rwanda gained independence from Belgium in 1962, but political instability and ethnic tensions continued to plague the country. In 1973, Juvénal Habyarimana, a Hutu, seized power in a military coup and established a one-party state.

Genocide: In 1994, Hutu extremists launched a genocide against the Tutsi minority and moderate Hutu, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 800,000 people in just 100 days. The genocide ended when Tutsi-led forces led by the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) captured the capital, Kigali, and established a new government.

Post-genocide reconstruction: Since the genocide, Rwanda has made significant progress in rebuilding its economy and society. The RPF-led government has prioritized reconciliation and rebuilding, while also cracking down on corruption and promoting economic growth.

Today, Rwanda is a stable, relatively prosperous country with a rapidly growing economy and a strong focus on development. However, the legacy of the genocide continues to shape the country’s politics and society, and ethnic tensions remain a significant challenge.