Jumia Books The Struggle for Liberation: A History of the Rwandan Civil War, 1990-1994 (War and Militarism in African History)  by John Burton Kegel (Author)

The Rwandan Civil War (1990-1994) was a major conflict between the Rwandan Armed Forces, representing the Hutu-led government, and the rebel Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), composed mainly of Tutsi refugees. It stemmed from longstanding ethnic tensions between the Hutu majority and the Tutsi minority. The war began when the RPF invaded Rwanda in October 1990, aiming to reclaim the country for displaced Tutsis. Initial RPF setbacks led to a prolonged insurgency, with neither side able to secure a decisive victory.

Peace negotiations led to the 1993 Arusha Accords, but extremist Hutu factions opposed the peace process. The assassination of President Juvénal Habyarimana in April 1994 triggered the Rwandan genocide, during which between 500,000 and 1,000,000 Tutsi and moderate Hutu were killed over about 100 days. The RPF quickly resumed military operations, eventually capturing Kigali in July 1994 and ending the genocide and civil war.