What role did the belgian play in the events of the spring of 1994?

Answer 1

In the spring of 1994, Belgium played a significant role in the Rwandan genocide, primarily through its colonial legacy and subsequent actions. The Belgian government had previously established a system of ethnic division between Hutus and Tutsis during its colonial rule, which contributed to the tensions that erupted into violence. Additionally, Belgium had troops deployed in Rwanda as part of a United Nations peacekeeping mission; however, they withdrew after ten Belgian peacekeepers were killed, further exacerbating the chaos and leaving many Rwandans vulnerable to the ensuing genocide. The international community, including Belgium, faced criticism for their inaction during this humanitarian crisis.