Beginning of Anti-Tutsi Broadcasts on RTLM Radio

On 15 August 1993, Radio Télévision des Milles Collines (RTLM), a government-controlled radio station in Rwanda, began its anti-Tutsi broadcasts, marking a dark chapter in the lead-up to the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. RTLM, which had been established with the explicit purpose of spreading extremist Hutu ideology, played a central role in inciting ethnic hatred and violence.

Background of RTLM:

RTLM was launched in 1993 by a group of Hutu extremists, including high-ranking members of the MRND (National Republican Movement for Democracy and Development) and its affiliated parties. Key figures behind RTLM included Felicien Kabuga, a wealthy businessman, and Theoneste Bagosora, a senior military officer. These individuals used the radio station as a tool to fuel ethnic division and propagate hateful rhetoric against the Tutsi population.

RTLM broadcasted not only to Rwanda but also to neighboring countries in the Great Lakes region, making it an effective propaganda tool for spreading its incendiary messages.

The Start of Anti-Tutsi Broadcasts:

On 15 August 1993, RTLM began airing its first anti-Tutsi broadcasts, marking the official onset of a campaign of hate that would continue for the next year and culminate in the Rwandan Genocide. These broadcasts were designed to dehumanize the Tutsi people and incite violence by portraying them as a threat to the Hutu majority.

The radio station’s rhetoric included dehumanizing language, referring to Tutsis as “cockroaches” and “snakes”, terms used to justify their extermination. The dehumanization of the Tutsi people, a critical element in the propaganda that preceded the genocide, was echoed in RTLM broadcasts as they encouraged the Hutu population to view the Tutsi as less than human and to take action against them.

RTLM also broadcasted instructions for violence, telling listeners where to find Tutsis, what weapons to use, and even who to target. It played a pivotal role in organizing the Interahamwe militia groups, which were responsible for carrying out much of the genocidal violence.

Key Elements of RTLM’s Anti-Tutsi Campaign:

1. Language of Hate: The use of dehumanizing language was central to RTLM’s broadcasts. The Tutsi were repeatedly referred to as “cockroaches” (in Kinyarwanda, “inyenzi”) and “snakes”, which are terms historically used to dehumanize minority groups in genocidal propaganda. This dehumanization was crucial in fostering a mindset where killing Tutsis was seen as justified and even necessary.
2. Calls for Violence: RTLM not only spread hateful ideologies but also incited direct violence. The broadcasts regularly called on the Hutu majority to take up arms and kill Tutsi civilians, framing it as a necessary action to protect their culture and nation from perceived Tutsi domination. They encouraged people to act immediately and without mercy, giving specific orders to militias and individuals about where to attack and who to target.
3. Targeting Prominent Individuals: RTLM also broadcasted lists of prominent Tutsis and moderate Hutus, encouraging the public to target these individuals for execution. This propaganda effectively served as a death sentence for those deemed enemies of the Hutu-led government.
4. Exacerbating the Division: The broadcasts served to deepen the ethnic divide that had been growing since the early 1990s. RTLM’s message was consistent in its portrayal of the Tutsis as an enemy that needed to be eradicated for the survival of the Hutu people. The radio station played a major role in amplifying ethnic tensions, helping to transform a political conflict into an ethnic war.

Impact of RTLM’s Broadcasts:

1. Ramping Up the Genocide: The broadcasts on RTLM were a key factor in escalating violence that would erupt into full-scale genocide in April 1994. While RTLM’s programming began in 1993, by the time the genocide started, the groundwork had been laid through a year of intense propaganda. The broadcasted calls to kill and dehumanize the Tutsis provided a license for mass violence and was instrumental in mobilizing Hutu civilians and militias.
2. International Awareness and Responsibility: Despite the growing intensity of the broadcasts, the international community did little to stop RTLM or its message. The station’s broadcasts reached millions of listeners in Rwanda and beyond, but many in the international community did not see the growing threat of genocide until it was too late. RTLM is often cited as an example of how media can be used to incite genocide.
3. Post-Genocide Accountability: After the genocide, RTLM’s role in inciting violence was widely recognized as criminal. Several of the key figures behind RTLM, including Felicien Kabuga, were later arrested and prosecuted for their role in inciting the genocide. Kabuga was arrested in May 2020 after being on the run for decades. His arrest highlighted the ongoing efforts to hold accountable those responsible for genocidal propaganda.
4. A Lasting Legacy of RTLM: The legacy of RTLM remains a reminder of the dangerous role that media and propaganda can play in inciting hatred and violence. The Rwandan Genocide was made possible not just by weapons and military strategy but by the relentless propaganda that convinced ordinary people to commit unspeakable acts of violence against their neighbors and fellow citizens.

Conclusion:

The beginning of anti-Tutsi broadcasts on RTLM on 15 August 1993 marked the official launch of a propaganda campaign that would play a crucial role in inciting the Rwandan Genocide of 1994. RTLM’s broadcasts were characterized by hate-filled language, direct calls for violence, and the incitement of extreme ethnic division. This tragic moment in history serves as a stark reminder of the power of media and the importance of safeguarding against the manipulation of information to promote violence and hatred. The effects of these broadcasts would reverberate throughout Rwanda for years to come, leaving a scar on the collective memory of the country.