Liberation Day in Rwanda ― Date, History, and Details
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Let's dive deeper into learning more about the history of Liberation Day in Rwanda and why people celebrate or observe it.
History of Liberation Day in Rwanda and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
In 1994, Rwanda was plunged into a horrific genocide that left hundreds of thousands of people dead. The Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), a rebel group made up of Tutsi exiles, took advantage of the chaos to launch an offensive against the Hutu-led government. After months of fighting, the RPF captured the capital, Kigali, and ousted the government.
The RPF then set up a new government, with Paul Kagame, the leader of the RPF, as president. In 2003, Rwanda held its first post-genocide elections, and Kagame was elected to a second seven-year term.
On July 4, 1994, the RPF declared victory, and Rwanda was finally free from the clutches of the Hutu extremists. Every year since, Rwanda has celebrated Liberation Day on July 4 to commemorate this momentous event in its history.