The Akazu was a secretive and powerful political group in Rwanda that played a crucial role in the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. Comprised mainly of close relatives and associates of President Juvénal Habyarimana and his wife, Agathe Habyarimana, the Akazu wielded significant influence over the country’s political and military landscape. Understanding why the Akazu emerged requires an exploration of Rwanda’s colonial history, ethnic divisions, political struggles, and the consolidation of power within Habyarimana’s regime.
1. Colonial Legacy and Ethnic Divisions
The origins of the Akazu’s power structure can be traced back to Rwanda’s colonial past under Belgian rule. The Belgians reinforced ethnic divisions between the Hutu majority and the Tutsi minority by institutionalizing ethnicity in identity cards and favoring Tutsis for administrative and educational opportunities. However, by the late 1950s and early 1960s, a shift in power occurred, leading to the overthrow of the Tutsi monarchy and the establishment of a Hutu-led government.
Juvénal Habyarimana, a Hutu, took power in a 1973 coup, presenting himself as a unifying leader. However, his regime soon became dominated by a small elite group—the Akazu—whose emergence was partly driven by the need to maintain Hutu dominance and suppress opposition, particularly from Tutsi exiles and internal dissenters.
2. Habyarimana’s Rise and the Need for a Loyal Inner Circle
After assuming power, Habyarimana established a one-party state under the National Republican Movement for Democracy and Development (MRND). To secure his rule, he relied heavily on trusted individuals from his home region of Gisenyi in northwestern Rwanda. Many of these individuals were from his own family or that of his wife, Agathe Habyarimana, who played a key role in shaping the Akazu’s influence.
The Akazu (“little house” in Kinyarwanda) emerged as an elite inner circle that controlled key government institutions, including the military, intelligence services, and the economy. This group ensured that power remained within their faction, sidelining rivals and enriching themselves through corruption and patronage networks.
3. Political and Economic Control
The Akazu strengthened its grip on Rwanda by monopolizing state resources and suppressing political opposition. Those who opposed the group, including moderate Hutus, were often eliminated or marginalized. The Akazu also controlled access to government contracts, foreign aid, and military appointments, further consolidating their influence.
By the early 1990s, Rwanda faced growing economic challenges, including a collapse in coffee prices, which was the country’s main export. These hardships fueled discontent, leading to increased political pressure on Habyarimana’s regime. To maintain their grip on power, the Akazu intensified their rhetoric against perceived enemies, particularly the Tutsi-led Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), which had launched a rebellion from Uganda in 1990.
4. Preparing for Genocide
As the RPF gained ground and international pressure mounted for a peace settlement, the Akazu saw its power threatened. In response, they orchestrated propaganda campaigns that portrayed Tutsis as a threat to Rwanda’s stability. They were instrumental in organizing and funding extremist media, including Radio Télévision Libre des Mille Collines (RTLM), which spread anti-Tutsi hate speech.
The Akazu also played a key role in preparing for mass violence, establishing networks of militias like the Interahamwe. They stockpiled weapons and trained militia members, ensuring that when the moment arrived, they could carry out a large-scale extermination of the Tutsi population.
5. The Assassination of Habyarimana and the Genocide
On April 6, 1994, President Habyarimana’s plane was shot down, triggering the start of the Rwandan Genocide. While the perpetrators of the attack remain disputed, the Akazu quickly seized the moment to launch a well-coordinated extermination campaign against the Tutsi population and moderate Hutus. Over the next 100 days, an estimated 800,000 people were killed.
Conclusion
The Akazu emerged as a result of Rwanda’s historical ethnic tensions, Habyarimana’s need for a loyal power base, and economic and political pressures. Their dominance over the government and military allowed them to manipulate state resources and prepare for genocide. Their rise and actions ultimately played a pivotal role in one of the darkest chapters of human history.
