In this episode of Roots & Reckonings, we examine the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda through the lens of its deep colonial roots and devastating consequences. The story begins in the late 19th century, when German and later Belgian colonial rule hardened once-fluid social identities into rigid ethnic categories, sowing seeds of division that would erupt decades later. On April 7, 1994, after the assassination of President Juvénal Habyarimana, extremist forces launched a 100-day campaign that left over 800,000 people dead. The episode explores how colonial manipulation, racial ideology, and international inaction all contributed to the tragedy—and how, through efforts like the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) established in November 1994, the nation began its long path toward justice, unity, and reconciliation. Thirty years on, Rwanda’s journey stands as both a warning about the enduring scars of colonialism and a testament to human resilience and forgiveness.