Interahamwe
The Interahamwe (/ˌɪntərəˈhɑːmweɪ/ or [í.nɦêː.ɾɑ́.hɑ́.mŋe]) is a Hutu paramilitary organization active in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. The Interahamwe was formed around 1990 as the youth wing of the National Republican Movement for Democracy and Development (MRND according to its French name), the then-ruling party of Rwanda, and enjoyed the backing of the Hutu Power government. The Interahamwe, led by Robert Kajuga, were the main perpetrators of the Rwandan genocide, during which an estimated 500,000 to 1,000,000 Tutsi, Twa, and moderate Hutus were killed from April to July 1994, and the term "Interahamwe" was widened to mean any civilian militias or bands killing Tutsi.
| Interahamwe | |
|---|---|
Flag of the Interahamwe | |
| Leaders | Robert Kajuga (president) Georges Rutaganda (vice president) Augustin Bizimungu Tharcisse Renzaho Idelphonse Hategekimana Idelphonse Nizeyimana Protais Mpiranya Callixte Nzabonimana Aloys Ndimbati |
| Active regions | Jungles of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo; formerly Rwanda |
| Ideology | Hutu Power Hutu ultranationalism Tropical fascism Anti-communism |
| Size | 100,000 (1994) 20,000 (1998) |
| Part of | MRND |
| Allies | Impuzamugambi Zaire (1996–1997) Army for the Liberation of Rwanda (1996–2001) DR Congo (1998–2003) FDLR (2000–present) |
| Opponents | Rwandan Patriotic Front (1994) Rwanda (1994–present) AFDL (1996–1997) Uganda (1996–present) |
| Part of a series on the |
| Rwandan genocide |
|---|
The Interahamwe were driven out of Rwanda after Tutsi-led Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) victory in the Rwandan Civil War in July 1994, and are considered a terrorist organisation by many African and Western governments. The Interahamwe and splinter groups such as the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) continue to wage an insurgency against Rwanda from neighboring countries, where they are also involved in local conflicts and terrorism.