Interahamwe facts for kids

The Interahamwe (pronounced Een-hair-ah-hahm-way) was a large group of people who acted like a mob army. They played a main role in starting the Rwandan genocide in 1994. During this terrible time, about one million Hutu and Tutsi people were killed in Rwanda.

What Was the Interahamwe?

The Interahamwe was a group that supported the Hutu government in Rwanda. Their name means "those who work together" or "those who attack together." They were not a regular army but a group of civilians who were trained and armed.

How the Violence Started

The violence began very quickly after the President of Rwanda, Juvénal Habyarimana, was killed. This happened on the night of April 6, 1994. Within about 30 minutes, Interahamwe roadblocks appeared all over Kigali, which is the capital city of Rwanda.

The killing and violence that followed lasted for about 100 days. This period is known as the Rwandan Genocide. It was a very dark time in Rwanda's history.

Weapons Used

The Interahamwe mostly used machetes, which they called 'mupanga', to carry out the killings. However, they also used other weapons. These included guns and grenades. Sometimes, they even used simple tools like clubs with nails in them and hoes.

The Impact of the Violence

The violence led to a huge number of deaths. At least 500,000 people were killed during the 100 days. Some reports suggest the number was even higher, possibly between 800,000 and 1,000,000 people. This tragic event had a lasting impact on Rwanda and its people.

See also

In Spanish: Interahamwe para niños