Interahamwe

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)

Human skulls at the Nyamata Genocide Memorial Centre
Part of a series on the
Rwandan genocide
Background History of Rwanda Origins of Hutu, Tutsi and Twa Kingdom of Rwanda Rwandan Revolution Rwandan Civil War Hutu Power Assassination of Habyarimana and Ntaryamira
Events Initial events Chronology Gikondo massacre Musha Church massacre Nyarubuye massacre
Parties responsible People indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal Genocidaires Akazu Impuzamugambi militia Interahamwe militia Kangura RTLM radio
Response Rwandan Patriotic Front International community United Nations Mission UN Security Council Resolution 935 Opération "Turquoise"
Aftermath Great Lakes refugee crisis Gacaca court First Congo War (Massacres of Hutus) Second Congo War
Resources Bibliography Filmography
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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.^[1][2]

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.