From April 7, to about July 15, 20 years ago, between 500,000 to one million people were killed in Rwanda.
That period of time, was known as the genocide mass slaughter of Tutsi and moderate Hutu, planned by members of the core political elite, known as the Akazu, many of whom were already in top government positions.
According to sources, the war took place in the context of the Rwandan civil war, which was an ongoing conflict that had begun in 1990, between the Hutu-led government and the Rwandan Patriotic Front, composed mainly of Tutsi refugees, whose families had fled to Uganda after their earlier encounter with Hutu violence against the Tutsi.
For many Rwandans, the experience of the genocide brought a lot of suspicion, fear and tension, in the years that followed after the genocide.
Today, many have only one phrase on their lips; that is, ‘Rwanda genocide, never again!’
The younger generation is doing what it can to cope with the country’s horrific past, as many lost parents and loved ones in the killing.
To help them move on, orphans from the period, have been coming together to form groups, that support one another while others are using social media such as facebook, to preach peace and reconciliation.
A Lot Has Changed
Believe it or not, a lot has changed in Rwanda, since then. 
The country is said to have low corruption, compared with neighbouring African countries. It also has the highest proportion of females in government positions, in proportion to the population.
Although seriously affected by the genocide, its economy has grown since then. A country of few natural resources, the economy is based mostly on subsistence agriculture by local farmers, using simple tools.
However, tourism is a fast-growing sector in Rwanda, and is now the country’s leading foreign exchange earner.
Rwanda’s high commissioner to Nigeria, told Channels Television that Rwandans had moved on and are looking ahead to make the country work.
“There are many initiatives to make the people come together. People have gone beyond ethnic divisions. Things have changed,” he said.
Just like many at the time, he also had his losses.
