'From the frying pan into the fire': a case study of Rwandan refugees

Rwanda has experienced one of the worst genocides in modern history. This article analyses the situation in Rwanda in the hope that this will contribute to preventing a repetition of that experience both in Rwanda and elsewhere. The author attempts to identify the legacy of colonialism on social and economic structures in the country and to assess the effects of the intervention (or non-intervention) of the international community at the beginning of the period of violence. The author concludes with some reflections on Rwanda's continuing problems and on the potential role of outside agencies in addressing these.