The document provides background on the ethnic groups and colonial history of Rwanda. It describes how the Hutus and Tutsis generally lived peacefully until European colonization, when the Belgians took control and favored the minority Tutsis, exacerbating ethnic tensions. After independence, the majority Hutus took power and persecuted Tutsis, causing many to flee to neighboring countries. This led to a civil war and UN peacekeeping efforts. However, extremist Hutus were unhappy with power sharing and assassinated the president, triggering a genocide where Hutus began killing Tutsis.

1. Rwanda A Story of Genocide