Publication

This paper explores the role played by President Habyarimana's 'peasant ideology' in unleashing the 1994 Rwanda genocide. More specifically, the study argues that for years Habyarimana both glorified the nation's peasantry, of which he claimed to be a member, and touted Rwanda as an agricultural nation. His intent may have been merely to legitimize his own policies and sustain his dictatorial rule, but his us-them indoctrination actually set up the Rwandan people for the blood-letting that finally occurred.