By Lauren Sedemeester
15/05/2025
Rwanda, a small landlocked country in east-central Africa with a population of 14.5 million, borders Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is best known for its tragic and violent past and, in recent years, for its rise from ruins.
Thirty years after the tensions between ethnic groups—the Hutus and the Tutsis—escalated into a government-driven genocide in the mid-1990s, unlike anything the world had ever seen, Rwanda now bears the fruit of hope, as a once-divided nation united to rebuild itself. On Rwanda’s journey of healing and reconciliation, Christianity has played a significant role in this process of recovery since the 1994 genocide.
Although strides have been taken on the path towards unity, forgiveness, and hope, the wounds are not yet fully healed.
Rwanda: From Past to Present
Pre-Colonial and Colonial Periods
For centuries, Rwanda was a monarchy ruled by Tutsi kings from a single clan, governing through cattle, land, and military chiefs. The king held absolute power, and society lived in relative harmony.
In 1897, Rwanda became a German colony, then came under Belgian rule in 1916. Both colonial powers reinforced Tutsi dominance, viewing the Hutu and Tutsi different races. Rwanda gained independence on 1 July 1962 following the ‘Rwandan Revolution,’ which led to the deaths of thousands of Tutsis and the displacement of many more, resulting in a Hutu-led republic.
Post-Independence and the Genocide (1994)
In 1963, about 20,000 Tutsis were killed in retaliation for a Tutsi rebel attack from Burundi, and ethnic tensions continued for decades. In 1973, Juvénal Habyarimana seized power in a coup, beginning a period marked by economic decline and deepening ethnic divisions.
Tensions escalated in the 1990s with the rise of the Tutsi-led Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF). The assassination of President Habyarimana in April 1994 triggered the genocide, during which over 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed in about 100 days.
It is difficult to grasp how such atrocities occurred in one of Africa’s most Christian nations—90% identified as Christian in 1991. Churches played complex and often contradictory roles. Many Tutsis sought refuge in churches, only to be tragically betrayed by some clergy.
Yet not all was lost—some clergy showed extraordinary courage, risking their lives to help smuggle survivors out and hide those in danger. In 2016, Rwandan Catholic bishops issued an apology for the role of certain clergy. Pope Francis also sought forgiveness in 2017, acknowledging the Church’s part in the violence.
Rwanda Today: Recovery and Transformation
Rwanda has maintained political stability since the genocide, with presidential and parliamentary elections held jointly in July 2024. President Paul Kagame, of the ruling RPF party, was re-elected for a fourth consecutive term, serving what is constitutionally meant to be his final term. However, critics express concern over the lack of a clear succession plan and fear that ethnic tensions may resurface once Kagame steps down.
Rwanda has experienced notable economic growth in recent years. Although poverty remains a challenge, life expectancy has increased by over a third, and both primary school completion and adult literacy rates have improved. Ethnic divisions have been eased through policies aimed at reconciliation and national unity.
Christianity’s Role in Shaping Rwandan Society
Christianity has played a central role in Rwanda’s history, shaping its cultural, political, and social landscape.
According to our local source, in the early days following the genocide, the Church—and Christianity more broadly—was instrumental in the nation’s transformation, actively involved in the healing and reconciliation process. The government initially looked to the Church to lead this agenda. Today, the government has largely assumed responsibility for this process, yet some Church leaders remain vocal in promoting reconciliation and genuine forgiveness. They maintain that healing is not merely a political goal but a national necessity if Rwanda is to move forward.
Many churches were established in the post-genocide period, with a strong focus on healing, reconciliation, and Christian values. While some operated from a legalistic framework rather than a Gospel-centred one, it is by God’s grace, our source notes, that Rwandans have been able to forgive. Though forgiveness is not yet complete, much has been achieved, as many Rwandans now live side by side in peace and harmony. Unity, especially within the Church, has grown—differences remain, but there is shared identity as Rwandans. There is also interdenominational collaboration, with churches setting aside theological differences to focus on shared beliefs and goals.
The Church has been vital in rebuilding communities, particularly those committed to the true message of the Gospel. Remote areas have benefited from local and international missions through donations, school materials, and overseas scholarships. Since the genocide, more Rwandans have become involved in missions—though on a small scale—and a few mission agencies have been established. Some churches actively support missionaries through prayer and finances, and there have been instances of families giving up everything to share the Gospel. Rwanda has also experienced a growing grassroots prayer movement.
The greatest challenge to the spread of the Gospel, however, stems from one of Rwanda’s cultural strengths: resilience and national pride. Having rebuilt their country through hard work, many Rwandans have embraced the belief that one must earn what one receives. This has made it difficult for some to accept the Gospel, as they lean towards legalism—believing salvation must be earned. Sadly, some churches continue to preach this message. Yet this challenge also presents an opportunity: ministries that proclaim the true Gospel must engage with Rwandan values and cultural realities to reach hearts effectively.
Rwanda’s Journey Through the Lens of Christian Faith
We can see how God is restoring to Rwanda—both spiritually and nationally—“the years that the swarming locust has eaten” (Joel 2:25), giving them “a crown of beauty instead of ashes” as they rebuild the ruins and restore the places long devastated (Isaiah 61:3-4), rewriting the wrongs of the past.
The Church has become a visible force for good and truth in society, reflecting Matthew 5:14-16: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”
Our source’s faith has been incredibly strengthened by what God has done in the lives of those closest to Him. He has seen Rwanda reach its lowest point and witnessed its remarkable rise from the ashes —an undeniable testament to a God who restores and heals.
The Body of Christ cannot help but marvel at the new things that God is doing in a nation once marked by sorrow. God’s sovereign hand is clearly at work in Rwanda’s restoration and testimony.
Rwanda’s history offers the Church valuable lessons: the power in repentance and forgiveness; the need to speak out against injustice; the responsibility to promote unity, healing, and social transformation; the assurance that restoration is possible through God’s grace; and the profound witness of hope.
Please join us in prayer:
- That the Gospel would take deep root in the hearts of Rwandans—may it be proclaimed from every pulpit with power, conviction, and the Holy Spirit, leading to a deepening of true discipleship and Gospel-centred living.
- For continued healing, reconciliation, and forgiveness across communities. Though the wounds of the genocide remain fresh, pray that true and lasting forgiveness will take root.
- For wise and transparent leadership, good governance, and the continued preservation and strengthening of democracy.
Resources:
https://home.sandiego.edu/~jmwilliams/longmanonchurchandgenocideinrwanda.pdf
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/interactive
https://rwandacg.org.au/home/about-rwanda/history-of-rwanda/
https://spectrummagazine.org/news/no-sanctuary-mugonero-notes-rwanda-revival-and-reform/
