B2 – Upper Intermediate
In 1994, around 800,000 people were wiped out in 100 days in Rwanda. The genocide was triggered by the rocket attack on the plane carrying the then President Juvenal Habyarimana which led to his death.
Let’s watch the video and know more about the series of events that led to the Rwandan genocide.
Vocabulary Questions:
- Define the verb “engulf“. “Neighbor turned against neighbor as violence engulfed the region.” Use it in your own sentence and give two synonyms.
- What does “on good terms” mean, “Many Hutus and Tutsi civilians were on good terms, but colonial powers encouraged political division.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
- What does “self-preservation” mean? “Over one million Hutu civilians joined their ranks due to coercion, self-preservation, or the pursuit of personal agendas.” Use it in your own sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- Share your insights on this, ““Many Hutus and Tutsi civilians were on good terms, but colonial powers encouraged political division.”.
- What is the concept of gacaca? How does this system work and what are your thoughts on this?
- Do you agree or disagree that “These verdicts helped restore the dignity of those lost in the violence.“? Share your opinion.