POPULATION: 7.6 million - July 2005 estimate

CAPITAL CITY: Kigali

POLITICAL PROFILE:
Republic

A feudal Tutsi monarchy which continued through German colonial occupation (1899-1916) and Belgian Mandate (1916-1962). A Hutu revolt overthrew the Tutsi government in 1959 with many Tutsi killed or driven into exile. A Tutsi invasion from Uganda in 1990 led to conflict, many deaths and the displacement of thousands of people. Hutu extremists seized power in 1994 and put into action the planned genocide of the Tutsi minority and Hutu moderates. In 100 days 800,000 perished. The more disciplined Tutsi-led forces gained control and over a million Hutu fled to surrounding lands. The extremist Interahamwe Hutu militia then spread terror and destruction in the Congo and areas of Rwanda. The transitional government struggles to reduce inter-ethnic hatred and institute a non-racial democracy while protecting the minorities. All international efforts to broker a lasting peace failed to overcome the fears and hatred of extremists.

Fertile agricultural land with few natural resources. Main sources of foreign exchange are coffee, tea and aid. Over-population and distance from the sea inhibit development. Nearly 40 years of conflict between the Hutu and Tutsi peaked in the terrible events of 1994-5. The economy was severely dislocated and continues to be so with the ongoing Central African War mainly in neighbouring Congo-DRC. There have been recent improvements as the government attempts to restructure and privatize the economy.

There is full freedom of religion.