THE CONFLICT IGNITES
What weapons will we use to win over the cockroaches for good?
Despite the cease fires and the peace talks, the situation in Rwanda was very heated. State run media outlets such as Kangura, the state run newspaper, and state run radio stations such as Radio Rwanda and Radio Television Libre des Mille Collines, or RTLM, continued to push a hate filled anti Tutsi message. State run media claimed that Tutsi rebels were attacking to regain their positions of superiority in Rwnada and that they needed to be stopped at all costs. Extremists in the media continued to underline the differences between Hutu and Tutsi, the foreign origin of Tutsi, the disproportionate share of Tutsi wealth and power, and the horrors of past Tutsi rule. The Hutu propaganda machine was rolling full steam ahead and the stituation was becoming increasingly tumultuous. The image to the left is the cover of the December 1993 issue of Kangura. For examples of Rwandan state run media propaganda click here, and here.
Remains of President Habyiramans Presidential jet
On April 6, 1994, the boiling point in Rwanda had been reached. Rwandan president Juvenal Habyarimana and the Burundian president Cyprien Ntaryamira were flying back to the Rwandan capital of Kigali after a short trip to Tanzania. After circling the airport in preparation for landing, the presidential plane was shot out of the air by two surface to air missiles. The plain errupted in fire and crashed to the ground killing everyone on board. Even today, it is unclear as to who shot down the presidential plane. Many believe that Hutu extremists in the Presidental Cabinet were responsible, while other lay the blame on Kagame and the RPF. Regardless, the assassination of President Habyiramana marked the begining of 100 days of chaos throughout Rwanda.