[roo-ahn-duh] 
| a republic in central Africa, E of the Democratic Republic of the Congo: formerly comprising the N part of the Belgian trust territory of Ruanda-Urundi; became independent 1962. 7,737,537; 10,169 sq. mi. (26,338 sq. km). Capital: Kigali. |
Rwan·da (rōō-än'də)  (click for larger image in new window) A country of east-central Africa. By the late 18th century the region was the site of a Tutsi kingdom inhabited principally by Hutus. In 1890 it became part of German East Africa and later (1919) part of the Belgian League of Nations mandate of Ruanda-Urundi. Rwanda achieved independence from Belgium in 1962. In 1990 the country was invaded by the Rwandan Patriotic Front, a group largely composed of exiled Tutsis, which signed a peace agreement with the government in 1992. Ethnic fighting broke out again in 1994, and with the assassination of the president, the Hutu government initiated a campaign of genocide. It is estimated that 800,000 people were murdered before the Rwandan Patriotic Front seized control of the government 100 days later. Many Rwandan Hutus fled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, leading to ongoing conflict between the two countries. Kigali is the capital and largest city. Population: 9,910,000. Rwan'dan adj. & n. |
Republic in central Africa bordered by Uganda to the north, Democratic Republic of Congo to the west, Burundi on the south, and Tanzania on the east. Its capital is Kigali.
Note: Rwanda gained its independence from Belgium in 1962.
Note: It has long been marked by ethnic strife between majority Hutus and dominant Tutsis. When its president died in a suspicious plane cash in 1994, Hutu militia massacred at least 500,000 Tutsis in an act of genocide.
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