Preparation
A large factor that controls the impression that genocides lives, arise from weapons. They type of weapon and quantity, can be a key component to the amounts of deaths and impact. With nearly 800,000 deaths it is clear that the Hutu's had their hands on multiple weapons. "In January 1994, Human Rights Watch report on Rwanda, observed the country was being flooded with weapons. These were so readily available that anyone could exchange two beers for a grenade " (Alusala). The report claimed the weapons were imported from France, Egypt and South Africa. As the Hutu's held power during the genocide, the government served an active role in supplying the weapons. According to a secret government document, more than 2000 assault rifles were distributed to civilians in disguise for self defense. However the most common weapon of the Rwandan genocide was the machete, assault rifles were used to coral Tutsi into confined areas. " 'Arming Rwanda,' 10 writes that during 1993, the year that the Arusha Accords were negotiated, a project began to import into Rwanda a huge number of matchetes and other agricultural tools. Melvern notes that the purchase of these tools took place in eighteen separate deals, and by companies not usually associated with agriculture" (Alusala) Along with the machete's, other tools such as hammers and razor blades were imported under "eligible imports". Nonetheless, Rwanda is one of the poorest countries and over this time period they became one of the largest importers of weapons, expending $112 million.
(Whelan)
(Whelan)