An Analysis of the Rwanda Genocide through a Postcolonial Lens

European colonialism had a profound and lasting impact on the conflict and development of contemporary Africa. The German and Belgians practiced a divide and rule colonial policy that favored the Tutsi hegemony than the Hutus. These events proceeding colonization had a profound influence on the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. Therefore, this study will conduct a post-colonial analysis of the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda and the impact of resulting state-led peace programs in addressing the root causes of the conflict. To achieve this, the research will be required to answer the following research questions; One, what was the role of the two colonial administrations in hardening ethnic divisions in the subsequent postcolonial 1994 genocide Rwanda? Two, How can a postcolonial approach provide a better understanding of conflict in Rwanda? Three, What is the state-led path to peace building in Rwanda? Four, What are the main peace building programs led by the state after the 1994 genocide? Five, what impact have they had on peace and development? Six, what are the criticisms against these programs? Seven, what peace building processes both state and non-state have an impact on the peace and development of Rwanda, What are the lessons learned? To answer these research questions this project is inclined towards the conflict transformation theory and post-colonial theory through a descriptive research design.