Question 1

True or false: The Rwandan Genocide lasted exactly 100 days in 1994.

Accepted Answer

True. The genocide began on April 7 and ended on July 15, 1994—100 days of systematic slaughter.

Question 2

True or false: Hutu and Tutsi are distinct ethnic groups with separate languages.

Accepted Answer

False. Hutu and Tutsi share the same language (Kinyarwanda), culture, and history; the division was largely social and colonial.

Question 3

True or false: International media widely covered the genocide while it was happening.

Accepted Answer

False. Most global media outlets paid little attention until it was nearly over; the West focused on the Balkans instead.

Question 4

True or false: French troops were the first to intervene to stop the killings.

Accepted Answer

False. France launched Operation Turquoise in late June 1994, but it was criticized for protecting some Hutu perpetrators and arriving late.

Question 5

True or false: The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda was the first court to convict a former head of state for genocide.

Accepted Answer

True. In 1998, Jean-Paul Akayesu, a local mayor, was convicted, but later the tribunal also convicted former PM Jean Kambanda.

Question 6

True or false: The UN peacekeeping force in Rwanda had fewer than 500 troops at the start of the genocide.

Accepted Answer

True. UNAMIR had about 2,500 troops, but after the start, most were withdrawn, leaving just 270.

Question 7

True or false: The genocide was planned using local government structures like communes and cell leaders.

Accepted Answer

True. The genocide was meticulously organized through prefectures, communes, and local militias, with lists of Tutsi prepared in advance.

Question 8

True or false: The genocide killed more men than women.

Accepted Answer

False. Estimates show that around 70% of victims were men, but women and children were also targeted in large numbers.

Rwandan Genocide Trivia Questions