The central region of Africa, which is now known as areas like Burundi, Rwanda, and Uganda, was previously (before Belgium colonization) known as the Ruanda-Urundi from the period of 1887-1914. This area was composed of three groups of people. The Twa, originally making up the majority of the population, were its earliest inhabitants. They were known as the hunter gathers that migrated from the pygmy area. Soon the Hutu migrated in from the western regions of Africa during the 7th-11th century, and established farming in the area. Between the 15th and 16th century Ruanda-Urundi’s final group, the Tutsi, migrated in from areas of the Nile region, present day Sudan, and the southern and western regions of Ethiopia. While these three different
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Gregory Stanton, genocide expert, has categorized the starting of genocide through eight different steps: classification, symbolization, dehumanization, organization, polarization, preparation, extermination, and denial. The classification and symbolization of the Hutu and Tutsi groups, originally started because of Belgium’s ID cards and strict ethnic lines, is seen throughout the country today. Currently the President of the Senate Révérien Ndikuriyo has publically stated that, “Tutsi’s are only good for dying” (Buchanan, 2016) which displays the nature that the Tutsi people are not really humans and shouldn’t be treated as such. Ethic violence groups like the Imbonerakure have sprung up in the wreckage of this violence, establishing the organization of these hate groups. Polarization has occurred as many Hutu supporters of human rights have been disappearing and some killed. Preparation has begun within Burundi and will eventually lead to extermination paired with denial. The international community needs to take action, even if that means simply acknowledging the pre stages of genocide and pushing President Nkurunziza to take notice and take/allow action. While this conflict may have started, and still exists rooted in political problems, it has allowed for hate violence opportunities to arise and needs to be acknowledged and action taken to protect the people and stop the
Gregory Stanton, genocide expert, has categorized the starting of genocide through eight different steps: classification, symbolization, dehumanization, organization, polarization, preparation, extermination, and denial. The classification and symbolization of the Hutu and Tutsi groups, originally started because of Belgium’s ID cards and strict ethnic lines, is seen throughout the country today. Currently the President of the Senate Révérien Ndikuriyo has publically stated that, “Tutsi’s are only good for dying” (Buchanan, 2016) which displays the nature that the Tutsi people are not really humans and shouldn’t be treated as such. Ethic violence groups like the Imbonerakure have sprung up in the wreckage of this violence, establishing the organization of these hate groups. Polarization has occurred as many Hutu supporters of human rights have been disappearing and some killed. Preparation has begun within Burundi and will eventually lead to extermination paired with denial. The international community needs to take action, even if that means simply acknowledging the pre stages of genocide and pushing President Nkurunziza to take notice and take/allow action. While this conflict may have started, and still exists rooted in political problems, it has allowed for hate violence opportunities to arise and needs to be acknowledged and action taken to protect the people and stop the